Meeting documents
Youth and Play Service Advisory Committee
Wednesday, 23rd July 2008
Present
Chair
Cllr T Harney
Councillors
S L Clarke, Karen Hayes, WW Smith, PA Smith
Council Officers
Steve Chan (Acting Head, Play), Lindsay Davidson (Deputy Head of Youth Service: Policy Development), Terry Hall (Deputy Head, Field Support), Maureen McDaid (Head of Youth & Play Service)
Apologies
Cllr T Anderson, Peter Edmondson (Head of Branch, Participation & Inclusion), Cllr Chris Meaden
Index to Minutes
- Minute 27 - INTRODUCTIONS AND APOLOGIES
- Minute 28 - MINUTES
- Minute 29 - MATTERS ARISING
- Minute 30 - HEAD OF SERVICE'S REPORT
- Minute 31 - YOUTH SERVICE PLAN 2008/09
- Minute 32 - WIRRAL EXECUTIVE YOUTH BOARD
- Minute 33 - ANY OTHER BUSINESS
- Minute 34 - DATE OF NEXT MEETING(S)
Minute 27 - INTRODUCTIONS AND APOLOGIES
Minute Text :
The Chair welcomed four young people from the Executive Youth Board: Stephen Pollard, Mike Kinealy, Juhi Gupta and Tara Staunton.
Minute 28 - MINUTES
Minute Text :
Minute Decision :
Resolved – That the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 7 May 2008, be agreed as a correct record.
Minute 29 - MATTERS ARISING
Minute Text :
It was noted that an update on the Harmony Project and homelessness were to be covered in the Head of Service’s report.
Minute 30 - HEAD OF SERVICE'S REPORT
Minute Text :
Maureen McDaid submitted a comprehensive report of the work of the Youth and Play Service since the previous meeting and highlighted a number of items.
The sudden tragic death of Bill Hawkins had deeply affected the Service. The Harmony Project was one of the projects undertaken by Bill and his team, hence the absence of a presentation at the meeting.
In relation to the Mistakes and Bladdered Board game, developed by young people from South Wirral Young People's Project through the Youth Opportunity Fund, Councillor Clarke stated she had attended the launch and was impressed with the game. Stephen Pollard reported that the game was being used in PHSE lessons in his school.
The Chair stressed the need for a standardised corporate system to record young people’s achievement and contributions. Such a system could act as part of a young people’s record of achievement through the possible production of a certificate and reward, such as a voucher.
In relation to the new multi-agency Alcohol Intervention Programme, Councillor Smith and Councillor Hayes cited a number of incidents in their localities of young people drinking. Councillor Hayes reported that the police were asking young people to become involved spot checks for under-age sales at off-licences.
Steve Chan explained that, following assessment a month ago, the result of the final lottery submission would be known by the end of July.
Lindsay Davidson reported that 72 bids had been received in the current Youth Opportunity Fund and Youth Capital Fund bid round. Of those applications, 49 projects had been asked to give presentations about their applications. The young people’s grant panel was hearing the presentations the previous evening and that evening, anddecisions would be made in the following week.
Minute Decision :
Resolved –
(1) That the Committee formally record the value of Bill Hawkins’ service to young people.
(2) That Merseyside Police to invited to the next meeting to give a presentation about the Alcohol Intervention Project and young people’s involvement as ‘mystery shoppers’.
(3) The Head of Service enquire how the Authority could record young people’s achievements.
(4) That the Committee noted the report with thanks for the work undertaken by the Youth and Play Service.
Minute 31 - YOUTH SERVICE PLAN 2008/09
Minute Text :
The Head of Youth and Play Service presented the Youth Service Plan for 2008/2009. The plan was an interim arrangement for one year and outlined service developments under each of the Every Child Matters outcome areas. In addition, a number of service-wide actions are also included. From the plan each Head of Team had developed their own team plan with relevant specific targets for their areas of work.
Councillor Clarke commented on timescales within the plan and the Head of Service clarified that, as it was an interim plan, many of the actions and work had already been undertaken.
Minute Decision :
Resolved – That the Committee endorse the report and receive further reports on progress.
Minute 32 - WIRRAL EXECUTIVE YOUTH BOARD
Minute Text :
The Head of Youth and Play Service reported on progress in relation to the establishment of the Executive Youth Board (EYB). Recruitment had commenced in June, when approximately 150 young people who had registered an interest were contacted. A number of young people were interviewed by peer educators from the Wirral Youth Theatre and a total of 21 young people were recruited for the EYB. Two training sessions took place in June/July with a number of elected members in attendance.
The first meeting of the EYB would be held on 5 August, which would be a planning meeting to look at how the Board’s role would develop. There had also been a suggestion from Councillor Phil Davies that the EYB meet with the Cabinet in September.
It was felt that the EYB needed to have an interface with elected members, and it was suggested that three Councillors (one from each party) act as a conduit / reference group.
Stephen Pollard expressed an interest in EYB members shadowing elected members and suggested that the matter be an agenda item for the EYB meeting.
The Chair stated that he would be interested in the EYB’s views regarding future YAPSAC meetings, particularly in terms of young people leading/chairing meetings and rotating venues.
Minute Decision :
Resolved –
(1) That each political group be requested to nominates a member to be part of a reference group for the EYB.
(2) That shadowing elected members and views for future YAPSAC meetings be placed on the agenda for the next EYB meeting.
(3) That the Committee notes the report.
Minute 33 - ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Minute Text :
Councillor Tony Smith reported that Woodchurch residents had visited him recently regarding summer playscheme provision. Steve Chan informed the Committee that a summer playscheme would be running on the estate. The scheme had started that day and would run until the end of August.
There was some discussion around publicising activities for children and young people. Steve Chan informed the Committee of ‘Let’s Go’ – a privately produced magazine advertising summer activities available free of charge to all primary children. Terry Hall reported that the Extended Schools and Merseyside Police website, ‘Be Wise’, was promoting summer activities to young people. Maureen McDaid reported that a Wirral Council website promoting positive activities for young people was currently being developed and would be launched in October. Tara Staunton commented that it would be useful for people to come into schools to inform young people about what activities are available.
Minute Decision :
Resolved – That promoting positive activities for children and young people be an item on the agenda for the next YAPSAC meeting.
Minute 34 - DATE OF NEXT MEETING(S)
Minute Text :
Minute Decision :
Resolved – That the next meeting be held on Wednesday 29t October 2008 at 5.30pm at a venue to be confirmed pending discussions with the Executive Youth Board.
(Minutes Published: 17 October 2008)