Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Programme Manager Communities.

People Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 1 June 2017 and its comments will be reported.

The Programme Manager Communities presented the report on an update on the Exeter Youth Strategy, which was initiated by Exeter Board, and information about the follow up action phase.

Following the closure of three out of four youth centres in Exeter work towards progressing a Youth Strategy for Exeter was being developed in partnership with Devon County Council and Exeter Community Forum using the feedback from a consultation exercise with young people from across the city.

The Exeter Board had contributed £5,000 and Devon County Council Youth Service made £2,500 available to support the development of the strategy although there was no further funding available at this stage and the optimisation and use of existing resources, alongside commitment from partners was key to the success of this initiative.

The main priorities identified by young people through the consultation process were:-

·                     protection from bullying and violence;

·                     a voice for young people in the City;

·                     things to do, places to go;

·                     support young people’s mental health;

·                     an environment with young people in mind; and

·                     a young people-friendly economy.

The next stage would be workshops with young people and partner agencies to develop action plans to address the main priorities identified.

The Portfolio Holder for City Development commented that the work towards the Strategy was a positive way forward although there was still a long way to go to meet the aspirations of the young people of the city.

Members welcomed and supported this work to improve young people’s lives and prospects in the city.

The Leader stated that Devon County Council, being the responsible authority should be approached for funding towards this work, this was supported by Members.

People Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 1 June 2017 and its comments were reported.

RECOMMENDED to Council that:-

(1)        the Council commits to working together with young people and key agencies to make Exeter a young people-friendly city, where the views and aspirations of young people are heard and responded to, and where young people can access the best possible services wherever they live and whatever the wider economic, social and political context;

(2)        the ongoing development of the youth strategy and action planning process to help plan for and address some of the key concerns identified by young people be supported;

(3)        consideration is given to the recommendations that emerge from the action planning process to ensure that council services recognise and value young people’s views and aspirations and, where feasible, embed these in future service planning and delivery; and

(4)        Devon County Council be asked to contribute funding towards ongoing work to address young people’s unmet in the city.  

To consider the report of the Programme Manager - Communities.

The Programme Manager - Communities presented the report updating Members on the Exeter Youth Strategy, initiated by the Exeter Board, setting out the next stage to help progress this work.

Exeter had the highest population growth rate in Devon with 7% of its population aged between 10 and 17 years. Following the closure of three out of four youth centres in Exeter, the 100 Club Countess Wear was now the base for the head office of the new staff mutual run youth service known as Space. A ‘Towards a Youth Strategy for Exeter’ document had been developed in partnership with Devon County Council, Exeter Community Forum and the City Council using the feedback from a consultation exercise with the young people.

The Exeter Board had contributed £5,000 and Devon County Council Youth Service made £2,500 available to support the development of the strategy, funding a consultant to help co-ordinate a consultation exercise with young people and write the strategy, printing costs and a launch event. The optimisation and use of resources, alongside commitment from partners was key to the success of this initiative and the work of the Exeter Community Forum and the encouragement of neighbourhoods to help young people would be important.

The main priorities identified by young people through the consultation process were:-

·         protection from bullying and violence;

·         a voice for young people in the City;

·         things to do, places to go;

·         support young people’s mental health;

·         an environment with young people in mind; and

·         a young people-friendly economy.

The next stage would be workshops with young people and partner agencies to develop action plans to address some of the issues and programmes identified. It would be helpful for different agencies to identify where a more collaborative approach may be useful to better address young people’s aspirations. City Council officers with Space and Voluntary Organisations for Young People and Children Devon would continue work in an advisory group liaising with partner agencies and young people and it was hoped to hold a follow up event in March 2018.

People - Scrutiny Committee noted the report and requested Executive to:-

(1)        commit to working together with young people and key agencies to make Exeter a young people-friendly city, where the views and aspirations of young people are heard and responded to, and where young people can access the best possible services wherever they live and whatever the wider economic, social and political context;

(2)        support the ongoing development of the youth strategy and action planning process to help plan for and address some of the key concerns identified by young people; and

(3)        consider recommendations that emerge from the action planning process to ensure that council services recognise and value young people’s views and aspirations and, where feasible, embed these in future service planning and delivery.