Agenda item - Youth Service Update and Use of Housing Revenue Account Funding

Report of the Executive Director, Families, Children & Learning

8.1          RESOVLED: That the Housing & New Homes committee: 1. notes the report; 2. Ensures that the report is shown to the next round of area panels; 3. That the Housing & New Homes Committee agrees in principle to include a minimum of £0.125m for Youth Services in the HRA budget for 2020/21 in order to extend existing contracts for 6 months to October 2020. Subject to Policy, Resources & Growth Committee approving this as part of the HRA budget in February 2020; 4. That a progress report is considered by the Committee in June 2020.

8.1          The Committee considered the report from Executive Director of Families, Children and Learning to provide Members with an update on youth services including the use of the Housing Revenue Accounts (HRA) annual £250,000 to the budget. The report included information from April 2018 to March 2019 with outcomes for council tenants and their families. Information on the Youth Led Grants and the work of the Council’s Youth Participation Team is included.

8.2          The meeting was attended by 4 members of the ‘StepOut’ project and two accompanying adults including Hangleton & Knoll Project Chief Executive - Jo Martindale and Nina.

8.3          The Members were informed by the young attendees that the project has promoted volunteering by young people. Each person is given a passport to record the volunteering undertaken. The project has helped young people develop in all areas including applying for jobs. A secondary group has been created called Kids Crew for 8 – 12 year olds who meet monthly with activities suggested by the group members such as cooking, games, programmed events, outdoor visits, all to build and increase confidence. Support is ongoing into employment, giving support to families with little budget. The project has assisted group members to push forward to jobs and careers that would not have been available before. The group wanted the committee to understand that younger children were helped older children, and this helped the members to make friends more easily. The younger members of the group stated that school and family life could be challenging, and the project had given them a place to talk to others in similar circumstances, and to Youth workers who care.

8.4          The Chair thanked the group for the presentation.

8.5          Councillors joined together to congratulate the group on their presentation.

8.6          Councillor Mears praised the brilliant Youth work being carried out across the city and in Rottingdean / Saltdean areas and wished the work to continue.

8.7          Councillor Heley thanked the StepOut members for coming. It was noted that mental health issues affecting young people were supported by the project and schools in the city as a priority. Jo Martindale stated that extra help is available including specific groups such as young women, helping to improve wellbeing, and young men who have been helped with activities such as boxing. Fishing has given young men time away from the estates where they live and time for reflection. Grant funding has included contributions from Sussex Community Trust.

8.8          Councillor Osborne commented that the presentation was inspirational. Councillor Osborne was informed that Youth Grant Outcomes were only measured at initial stage, however the ethos is to raise aspirations. Jo Martindale confirmed to the Councillors that data bases were shared with East and West Sussex. Impact is also measured by case studies with older youth reporting back on impact of support throughout life. Councillor Osborne was informed that young men responded well to single gender settings where they can receive support.

8.9          Councillor Knight congratulated the group and felt the funding had been well used.

8.10      Councillor Gibson commented that the youth group brought the project to life and it as clear the impact that funding had had. Councillor Knight was informed by the youth attendees that the younger group of 8 – 12 year olds formed itself and designed its own agenda. They meet in the community centre and enjoy trips outside, arts & crafts, carrying for bees, food preparation and cooking. It was noted that all of the events help to build relationships across ages and with contemporaries. Nina confirmed that the group come up with the ideas and plan all the events with little adult involvement. Councillor Gibson supported the group and felt others could learn from them. Councillor Gibson supported the report.

8.11      Councillor Atkinson thanked the group for attending the meeting, congratulated the Youth Grants Projects winner and noted that in North Portslade youth groups were using Mile Oak recreation ground.

8.12      The Chair thanked the group for attending and commented that youth clubs are a good thing.

8.13      RESOVLED: That the Housing & New Homes committee: 1. notes the report; 2. Ensures that the report is shown to the next round of area panels; 3. That the Housing & New Homes Committee agrees in principle, subject to the views of Area Panel to include a minimum of £0.125m for Youth Services in the HRA budget for 2020/21 in order to extend existing contracts for 6 months to October 2020. Subject to Policy, Resources & Growth Committee approving this as part of the HRA budget in February 2020; 4. That a progress report is considered by the Committee in June 2020.