Agenda and minutes

Councillors and officers to declare any interest which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

Councillors and officers to declare any interest which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No interests were declared.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director - Legal & Democratic Governance.

The report sets out the Scrutiny Review Panel Procedure Rules and suggests that the Panel should adopt it for the purpose of conducting the review.

The Panel are requested to formally adopt the Scrutiny Review Panel Rules for the purpose of conducting the review.

Officer Contact: Charles Yankiah on 0161 474 3206 or email: charles.yankiah@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Panel to formally adopt the Scrutiny Review Panel Procedure Rules for the review.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted

To consider a report of the Director of Education, Works and Skills.

The report outlines the proposed scope and brief for the review.

The Panel is requested to comment on and note the scope of the review and outline any areas they wish to scrutinise further.

Officer contact: Tim Bowman, email: tim.bowman@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Education, Works and Skills submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the proposed scope and brief for the review including aims and objectives.

Members welcomed the report and the opportunity to contribute to the proposed scope of the review and thanked officers for the details in the report.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Education, Works and Skills.

The report provides evidence gathered to date and to consider any other sources of information.

The Panel is requested to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Tim Bowman, email: tim.bowman@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Education, Works and Skills submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing evidence gathered to date relating to “Services for Young People” as follows:-

Services for Young People – Headlines

·         Understanding the demographics of the adolescent population across the borough

·         Scoping and mapping the provisions available delivered via the voluntary sector and the local authority

·         Understanding the infrastructure and connections across the provision

·         Understanding how provision was funded

·         Identifying any areas what would benefit from being strengthened

·         There was approximately 65,165 (22.1%) of the total population in the Stockport that were 0-18 year olds and 20,956 (7.1%) of the total population that were 11-16 year olds.

·         Of the 65,165,  0-18 year olds, 31,587 were female and 33,578 were male

·         Information was currently being collated relating to the voluntary sector and the free offer for adolescents

·         Secondary school provision includes sporting activities, dance, drama, musical opportunities, a vast array of additional academic classes including French, Japanese, community and fundraising projects alongside school councils, reading clubs, bake-off club, craft club and a dungeons and dragons club, debating societies and journalism clubs.

·         Other public sector provisions include Stockport Homes, Stockport Youth Justice Service and Stockport Council Funded – Care Leavers Forum, Autism Ambassadors, Stockport Action Youth Speakers (SAYS), Youth Council, Stockport’s Children in Care Council & L!sten.

·         Provisions are funded through short term based bids and long term funding, DfE funding, Household Support Fund, GM Funding & National Lottery.

·         Areas of strength were identified as follows: -

o   Networks were growing, being utilised as a place to share information and identify joint funding opportunities.

o   Relationships across the sector and public services were developing and growing.

o   Young people who attend groups report feeling safe and able to be themselves.

o   There were provisions which were inclusive to young people with additional needs and specific protected characteristics.

o   L!sten, Stockport's Youth Alliance was developing and provided a space for young people to share their experiences and understand their needs.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         There needed to be some distinguishing difference between the outreach and detached services for young people so it was clear. In response it was noted that outreach youth work aimed to engage with young people in the local community with youth workers informing young people of services that exist in their area and encouraging them to use the services and engage in centre-based activities. Detached youth work involved the engagement with young people who did not access building-based youth provision with engagement taking place in young people's own environment, which was generally on the street or other public spaces.

·         The aim was to empower young people to have positive voices in their communities and informally educate them through young person led activities.

·         Clarification was sought as to whether or not ‘private’ youth provisions were taken into account. In response, it was stated that ‘private’ youth provisions were taken into account and the data would be included in the scope.

·         Members were impressed with the youth services mapping and the improvements to accessibility, but there was scope for a wider strategy to communicate more effectively the services to residents.

·         It was suggested that an ‘open maps plug-in’ could be look into including any existing technology currently used for car parks and bins.

·         It was noted that a ‘digital interface’ approach was already being explored.

·         It was recommended that an ‘overarching approach’ be strengthened going forward to improve access for all young people.

·         The meeting were informed of the new statutory guidance for LA Youth Provisions and that a briefing paper would be prepared and submitted to the next scrutiny review meeting.

·         Clarification was sought regarding whether there was any risks to funding or to replace any funding streams. In response, it was noted that Government funding to LAs  take place each year and would only be known year on year if it were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To provide the Panel with the opportunity to discuss the information and evidence presented by officers and witnesses, receive responses to questions relating to the scope of the review and formulate recommendations.

Members raised the following the questions: -

·       How was the youth service promoted across Stockport?

·       How can the Review Panel understand the provisions available in school?

RESOLVED – That the Director of Education, Works and Skills be requested to submit the responses to the questions to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Review.

To note the agreed dates for future meetings of the Scrutiny Review and the timescales for undertaking the review as follows: -

Scrutiny Review Dates

15 November 2023

23 November 2023

Final Report to Committee

28 February 2024

Final Report to Cabinet

12 March 2024

RESOLVED - That the Assistant Director Legal & Democratic Governance be authorised to determine future dates of the Panel in consultation with the Chair and the Panel members.