The Youth Justice Plan is prepared on an annual basis on behalf of Herefordshire Council and Worcestershire County Council.  The basic plan preparation is undertaken by the Youth Offending Service according to the deadlines and guidance from the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales (YJB).

The Cabinet Member Children’s Services presented the report on the Annual Youth Justice Plan 2010/11.

Responding to comments raised in discussion, the Cabinet Member:

·         Stated that the performance was moving positively in the right direction.

·         Acknowledged that most of the statistics related to a combined Herefordshire and Worcestershire data set and noted that the Court system had access to more local data on youth offending.

·         Recognised that there was a significant cost to local authorities to provide a programme of support and supervision to young offenders when provided as an alternative to custody.  There was a need to meet these costs within the current financial constraints.

The Leader emphasised the need to balance the challenging issues of reducing public finances during a time of economic crisis, which may, as a consequence, lead to an increase in youth crime.

RESOLVED:   that the Youth Justice Plan as prepared be endorsed and that it be recommended within the Policy Framework that the Plan be approved by Council at its meeting on the 19 November 2010.