Agenda item

This report provides an update on the work carried out to date in support of this scrutiny review, and presents information on engagement techniques for ward councillors to use when engaging with children, young people and families in their local ward. 

Members considered a report which provided them with an update on the work carried out to date in support of the scrutiny review and presented information on engagement techniques for ward councillors to use when engaging with children, young people and families in their local ward.

With regard to objective (i) “Members noted the information contained in the report and new information contained in the annexes C, D and E.

In response to objective (ii) and in relation to the example engagement techniques detailed in the report, the Head of Communities and Equalities advised Members to:

·        Consider the use of the engagement techniques included in annex D which could be tailored to suit age and ability and used and adapted to talk about any issue.

·        Consider ways to provide feedback to show young people that their views are valued.

·        Consider how best to use ward committee meetings to reach different parts of the community, including young people, by varying format of meetings, meeting times, venues etc.

·        Identify key groups and build connections with existing organisations (youth groups, nurseries, playgroups, schools etc) which already have established relationships with children and young people. YorOK website provides a directory of organisations.

·        Make contact with schools who will have either a pastoral lead or teacher responsible for downtime. Talk to teacher/pastoral lead in advance of visiting to find out what engagement techniques would be most suitable for their children and consider meeting with the school council.

·        Consider talking to VOICE - a group set up by young people in Clifton and Clifton Without who attend ward meetings, and the Show Me That I Matter Panel, Young inspectors, or Youth Council.

Members queried which wards had ward priorities explicitly around children and young people and what engagement work had taken place or was planned.  They agreed to liaise with their own political groups to identify examples of where young people had been consulted, what if any barriers had been encountered, and what positives outcomes had been achieved.

In considering objective (iii)and the examples of previously successful refurbishment projects e.g. Cornlands Road, the Task Group recognised the importance of good communication and engagement throughout the development of a scheme.  They agreed that the views of a whole community should be sought and not just those of existing users of a play space as it would better encourage co-existence and community cohesion. 

In response to objective (iv), the Task Group considered the benefits of producing a best practice guide for Councillors to assist them in engaging with children and young people in their wards and to support them in the process of developing or refurbishing a play space.  The Task Group recognised that Members may also benefit from some specific skills training on engaging with children and young people as it would be beneficial to Members for other purposes in their wards. 

With regard to Objective (v) the Task Group acknowledged that this was most likely to occur in areas where there was no parish council, residents association or community groups. They agreed that, where gaps in provision currently existed, it was important to understand the reasons for this and to examine the ward profile to determine whether a need could be evidenced. Members agreed that it was easier to take forward a scheme if there was a group to drive it forward but, if not practical, ward Members could take on this role.

Members agreed to meet again prior to Christmas to consider an updated report with the aim of bringing the draft final report to the Learning and Culture Policy and Scrutiny Committee at its January meeting.

Resolved:   (i)  That the information contained in the report and its annexes be noted.

(ii)  That the comments and suggestions by officers and Members made in support of objectives (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) be noted and fed into the Task Group’s draft final report.

Reason:     To progress the review in line with scrutiny procedures and protocols.