Agenda item

The Area Council Manager introduced the item, reminding Members of the discussions that took place at a recent workshop which explored the opportunity for a North Area Council funded young people’s project.  Detailed information was provided around business intelligence, pupil premium information, indices of deprivation and individual needs in schools together with the scope of services, transition work and provision during holidays.  Members felt that provision should be offered to children and young people across all age groups, not just those in Years 5, 6, 7 and 8, but it was acknowledged that this would require a much larger budget and Pupils in Years 7 and 8 had been identified as those most in need.  There is a need to target younger pupils, as the older they are the more costly any intervention becomes if they become involved in anti-social behaviour. 

A discussion took place around the future development of a Youth Hub which Members were made aware of via a Member Briefing, but this will not be available for around 3 years.  A Member also queried whether any information was available around the link between self-harm and deprivation, with risky behaviour mapped at ward level.  However, it was felt that the Area Council could not be responsible for addressing these issues at Area Council level.  The project will be offered to 6 primary/junior schools out of 12, where the highest levels of need have been identified.         

RESOLVED that:

(i)            Members noted the risks identified in section 10 of the document

(ii)          Members agreed to the specification

(iii)         The Area Manager be tasked with developing the specification for a competitive tender process, and

(iv)         Members agreed to the financial implications of this contract, including the duration and proposed start date – i.e. £90,000 per annum for up to 3 years, with a proposed start date of 1^st April 2020.