Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education (Councillor Wendy Meikle) submitted the Youth Justice Plan for 2022/23 (copies of which had been circulated).

RESOLVED - That the Youth Justice Plan 2022/23 be approved and adopted.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education.

The Youth Justice Plan is a statutory annual plan that is required under Section 40 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. The report sets out the Youth Offending Partnership’s responsibilities in producing this plan and states that it is the duty of each local authority, after consultation with the partner agencies, to formulate and implement an annual youth justice plan.

The Cabinet is requested to endorse the report and recommend that the Council Meeting adopt the Youth Justice Plan.

Officer contact: Jacqui Belfield-Smith on 07800 617 569 or email: jacqui.belfield-smith@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education (Councillor Wendy Meikle) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the Youth Justice Plan 2022/2023 which outlined achievements against last years’ plan, priorities for the future and opportunities/challenges for the forthcoming year.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The youth justice system had a high staff retention rate and low sickness absence.

·         The voice of children was referenced throughout the report with a focus on ensuring that young people were heard.

·         Concern was expressed that it remained the case that the only custodial sentence facility was in Wetherby which mean that young people were placed some distance from their families and carers who wanted to visit them.

·         The report recognised the strengths, challenges and risks, particularly with regard to ongoing economic uncertainty.

·         The reduction in the number of permanent exclusions from schools was welcomed.

RESOLVED – That the Youth Justice Plan 2022/2023 be endorsed and that the Council Meeting be recommended to adopt the plan.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Families.

The Youth Justice Plan is a statutory annual plan that is required under Section 40 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. The report sets out the Youth Offending Partnership’s responsibilities in producing this plan and states that it is the duty of each local authority, after consultation with the partner agencies, to formulate and implement an annual youth justice plan.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to endorse the Youth Justice Plan for 2022/23.

Officer contact: Jacqui Belfield-Smith on 0161 474 4744 or email: jacqui.belfield-smith@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director of Children’s Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing for comment the Youth Justice Plan 2022/2023 which outlined achievements against last years’ plan, priorities for the future and opportunities/challenges for the forthcoming year.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education (Councillor Wendy Meikle) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         In response to questions regarding the rates of offending for and the age profile of those offenders, it was stated that a breakdown of the nature of those offences would be circulated to members separately.  It was noted that in the most part, they were not related to school-based violence.

·         Activities had taken place in schools with a view to reduce offending, with particular regard to knife crime which had seen an ‘On the Edge’ knife programme delivered to 10,000 children in the borough in conjunction with Greater Manchester Police.

·         There was a high level of confidence in the data on youth offending provided within the report as a result of the clear focus across Greater Manchester and from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office to work hard to keep children out of the criminal justice system.

·         Concern was expressed in relation to the costs associated with holding children on remand which was borne by the local authority.  It was noted these costs could escalate quickly due to the necessary delays in processing a child through the system particularly where this involved parallel proceedings with adults.

·         The thanks of the Scrutiny Committee were extended to all those involved in drafting the report and for those who worked in youth justice.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.