11. YOUTH REVIEW - CONSULTATION RESPONSES.

Councillor MAF Hubbard, Personal, Agenda item 11 member of Friends of Castle Green, links with the outdoor centre referred to in the Youth Review.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 10 May 2012.

To consider and approve the final revenue and capital outturn position for 2011/12.

The Cabinet Member Corporate Services presented the report of the Head of Corporate Finance.  The following points were made in discussion:

• The overall revenue budget position for 2011/12 showed an overspend of £236k, which is approximately 0.16% of the Council’s £146m revenue budget excluding dedicated schools grant funding.  The £236k overspend will be met by a transfer from the general fund working balance.
• The general reserve balance at 31 March 2012 was £6.1m after funding the overspend.  The Council holds £13.4m of earmarked reserves, which includes school balances.
• The capital programme outturn in 2011/12 indicates a final outturn of £49.4m, which is £9.3m less than forecast in February.  The decrease is due to forecast spend slipping into future years.
• The Treasury Management outturn had an under spend of £1.18m on borrowing costs and £226k on interest received.
• The small overspend on the general account is mitigated by savings within other services.
• In referring to the annual treasury management report Cabinet was advised that a cautious approach had been used as to where monies were to be held and that monies would not be held by brokers for any lengthy periods.
• In response to a question on producing a budget on a gross budget, the Chief Officer Finance and Commercial advised there was a requirement by law to budget on the net budget, however, a budget could be produced on a gross budget as well.
• In response to a question on the adult services budget the Cabinet Member advised the directorate was committed to good quality care at all times.  The challenge was around on what and how care was provided and on early intervention.
• In response to a question on Section 75 agreements Cabinet was reminded that the agreements had been around for some time and they involved the Council, Wye Valley Trust, 2gether and the PCT.  It was anticipated that they would continue, updated as necessary.
• Members discussed in general issues around savings across wide areas of the Council, outstanding debts of partner organisations and the relationship between the budget set and an overspend.
• In response to questions on the Council’s borrowing rates Cabinet was assured that any borrowing was done at a low fixed interest rate.

RESOLVED

               THAT:

a)            the final outturn for 2011/12 be approved;

b)            the movements to new reserves outlined in paragraph 11 of Appendix A to the report be approved; and

c)            Cabinet recommends to Council approval of the Treasury Management outturn report.

To invite Cabinet Members to review performance for the operating year 2011-12 against the Joint Corporate Plan 2011-14.

The Cabinet Member Corporate Services presented the report of the Assistant Director People, Policy and Partnerships on the Integrated Corporate Performance Report.  The following points were made in discussion:

• Cabinet was informed that the proportion of performance measures that were achieving or better than target was 64%, which was a significant increase on last year which was 47.2%.  In addition the targets improving against the same period last year was 56.8% compared to 50.75 last year.
• Cabinet noted that even with the levels of available resources through central Government reducing and the reorganisation that has been carried out over the last 18 months, progress was still being made in the delivery of the Joint Corporate Plan.
• People’s Services directorate – the Cabinet Member stated that the Ofsted inspections of children’s centres had resulted in  a number of centres being  rated as good.  Additionally seasonable flu vaccination in the county was the highest in the West Midlands for over 65s and the second highest for all other vulnerable groups.
• In referring to schools Cabinet noted that the guiding principles for the Herefordshire Learning Community had been approved by Cabinet and the emphasis now was on ensuring that all schools signed up to the principles.
• Places and Communities - 90 affordable homes had been achieved in Herefordshire and 88 empty properties had been brought back into use.  It was noted that there was still a high number of families under financial pressure.  The full impact of the benefit changes were yet to be seen, but the use of bed and breakfast accommodation was at a minimal level.  However, opposition Members did raise concerns on the use of demographic figures and predictions.  Cabinet was informed the demographic predictions were produced through the use of the Integrated Needs Assessment (INA) and officers were working hard at improving the use of the information gathered through the INA.
• In referring to the number of young people not in education or training, Cabinet was informed that the figures for 2011 had risen slightly.

RESOLVED:  That Cabinet considered and noted performance for the operating year 2011/12.

To seek authority to acquire by negotiation the land, properties, easements and rights of access over land needed for the construction of the Link Road between Edgar Street and Commercial Road, Hereford, and for in principle approval for the making of   Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) and Side Roads Order (SRO)  if required, for the same purpose.

The Cabinet Member Education and Infrastructure presented the report of the Economic Development Manager.  The following points were made in discussion:

• The Cabinet Member emphasised that the report was about the development of some community facilities and a health facility and not the link road, which had initially been agreed by the Planning Committee in March 2010. 
• The intention is to reach agreement with landowners, however, there was an expectation that Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) would be required.
• The intention was to deliver the link road in a timely manner and the side road would be necessary to allow access.  Any raising of CPOs would require detailed reasons, which would be brought before Cabinet in a separate report.
• Reference was made to a transport hub, which it was believed had been integral to the original scheme.  It was stated that public meetings had been held and a prime consideration was the impact and increase of vehicle flow around the Aylestone Hill area.  In response to the comments Cabinet was informed that a transport hub at the railway station still remained an aspiration of the development.
• It was noted that there was a substantial increase in cost, however, it was felt the redevelopment was important for the City and the County as a whole.
• Reference was made to the housing estates which have been built around the county and that these developments had paid for any road links and did not require the Council to fund them.
• Concern was raised over the estimated figure over the number of businesses and employees affected by the building of a link road as it was felt these figures should be more accurate.
• In response to a question on funding for the link road, Cabinet was reminded that the Council needed to evidence that funding was available, however, the use of grant and other external funding was still being pursued.

RESOLVED

               THAT CABINET:

a)    authorises the Chief Officer Finance and Commercial, in consultation with the Director for Places and Communities, to proceed with acquisitions through negotiations with the possible affected landowners, as regards the acquisition of all necessary land interests, and all other necessary steps in this matter; and

b)    agrees that in order to secure any land and new rights required for the Link road, the use of the Council’s statutory powers of compulsory acquisition in making a Compulsory Purchase order, and the use of the Council’s statutory powers to make a Side Roads Order be approved, in principle, subject to a further report to Cabinet to more specifically identify the land interests to be acquired and further explain the necessity for a CPO in a statement of reasons.

For Cabinet to be informed of the findings from the children centre services consultation and agree a course of action to determine the future delivery model.

The Cabinet Member Health and Wellbeing presented the report of the Head of Provider Services (Localities).  The following points were made in discussion:

• Cabinet was informed of the consultation carried out over a 12 week period with parents, carers, stakeholders and children centre staff.
• Cabinet noted that the recommendations followed the original proposal of prevention and early intervention, supporting disadvantaged or vulnerable children and their families to provide the best start in life.
• Cabinet noted that the re-designating of the South City Children Centre as a nursery, which would help provide more places for two year old children.

RESOLVED

               THAT:

a)    taking account of the views expressed through the consultation a ‘mixed market’ model of children centre services delivery be adopted;

b)    the core purpose specification for services for families with young children be developed through the forthcoming root and branch review using the results of this consultation; and

c)    a south city children’s centre is re-designated to a nursery to meet increased demand, and the Director of People’s Services be delegated authority to determine which centre is re-designated taking account of the outcome of ongoing feasibility work.

The purpose of this report is to seek agreement on the establishment of a single Youth Offending Service for the authorities within the West Mercia police area.

The Cabinet Member Health and Wellbeing presented the report of the Head of Locality Services.  The following points were made in discussion:

• The Cabinet Member emphasised the report was about agreeing a principle to move forward with and to provide the best service with the least cost.
• Currently there is a joint Youth Offending Service between Herefordshire and Worcestershire.  Telford and Wrekin also had a joint service and the proposal was to bring the separate youth services together as one service.
• The proposed establishment of a single youth service would ensure the service was prepared for when the new Police Commissioner came into place in the autumn and the recommendation would ensure the authority was in a much stronger position prior to the appointment.

RESOLVED

               THAT:

(a)           work should progress to establish a West Mercia Youth Offending Service, and to consider the optimum delivery mechanisms for non core services using a commissioning approach;

(b)          Interim arrangements be put in place with West Mercia Probation Trust for delivery of a core Youth Offending Service, subject to the Director for People’s Services being satisfied that effective linkages are being maintained with local youth and family services in Herefordshire; and

(c)           this arrangement be reviewed after 18 months to allow exploration by the Local Authorities, through the Youth Offending Service Management Board, of commissioning the Single Core Youth Offending Service through a competitive process.

To consider and recommend for approval the Yes We Can plan, as the strategic partnership plan for children and young people in Herefordshire.

The Cabinet Member Health and Wellbeing presented the report of the Head of Commissioning (Children Services).  The following points were made in discussion:

• It was stated that the resources invested in young people to improve life chances for children and young people studying and working in the county would provide dividends in the future. 
• The strategic partnership plan is the plan that organisations and individuals who commission and provide services for children and young people all agree to work to.
•  The Children and Young People’s Partnership Forum replaces the previous Children’s Trust.  All partners work together and lead their individual agency to improve the opportunities and outcomes for young people.  The Forum has considerable input from young people.
• In discussing risk management it was stressed that there had to be a reliance on social care staff to provide professional judgements.
• It was stated that there was a reduction in the total number of children in the county, decreasing by 10%.  It was emphasised that the success of the target setting needed to be monitored and to ensure that all targeting work was done at the earliest point a need was identified.
• Cabinet reiterated the need to work in partnership with employers to ensure that schools were clear on the requirements of employers.

RESOLVED

               THAT:

a)    Cabinet recommend to Council to approve the Yes We Can plan; and

b)    it be noted that the priorities within the Yes We Can plan be considered as part of the Council’s Root and Branch reviews.

For Cabinet to receive:

·     the 2012 summary Integrated Needs Assessment “Understanding Herefordshire”, Appendix 1;

·     the programme of work towards a “Gold Standard” Integrated Needs Assessment, Appendix 2.

The Cabinet Member Health and Wellbeing presented the report Understanding Herefordshire – Summary of the 2012 Integrated Needs Assessment.  The following points were made in discussion:

• The report provides an evidence base on the needs of the people of Herefordshire incorporating the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and the State of Herefordshire Reports.   Cabinet noted the need for a ‘gold standard’ across the county to enable more informed decisions on the prioritisation of resources and the ability to track the use of resources over time.
• In referring to the demographic chart Cabinet noted the diminishing number of young people in the County and the rapid reduction in this number forecast by 2031 based on current trends.
• The report reflects what things in the county will look like in the future and how the authority is tackling the issues to provide a sustainable and affordable society. 

RESOLVED

            THAT:

a)    the document “Understanding Herefordshire” as the summary of the 2012 Integrated Needs Assessment be approved;

b)    “Understanding Herefordshire” and the 2012 Integrated Needs Assessment as the evidence base against which strategic priorities and commissioning decisions will be made be approved;

c)    in light of the evidence within the Integrated Needs Assessment, the Joint Corporate Plan is reviewed, be considered; and

d)    the programme of work towards a “Gold Standard” Integrated Needs Assessment be approved.

The purpose of this follow up report is for Cabinet to be advised on the outcome of the public consultation regarding the review, and a further review of equality impacts as agreed in December 2011; to affirm decisions made on a preferred model for the future delivery of youth service functions in Herefordshire, and to explain what will happen next with regard to implementation.

The Cabinet Member Health and Wellbeing presented the report of the Head of Locality Services.  The following points were made in discussion:

• Resulting from the public consultation on the youth review there was support in principle to target funding of the service to the most vulnerable.
• Cabinet was advised that following the results of the consultation the proposals for the outdoor education centre did not get support.  It was noted there was a need to test how the service could be provided in another way.
• In referring to the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Cabinet was content with the comments on the youth market testing and the use of the website to provide a source of integrated local knowledge about youth service provision.
• Cabinet agreed that recommendations e and f of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee were to be considered at a later date.

RESOLVED

            THAT:

(a)          In light of the consultation and further equality impact assessment, and taking into consideration the outcome of that further consultation and assessment, Cabinet affirmed the decisions taken on 15 December 2011, namely:

·                     Targeted Youth Support Services for the most vulnerable young people in the county are prioritised for funding and are likely to be delivered in the future both directly by the Council and third sector partners:

·                     Positive activities for young people, which can be accessed by all, will be delivered through a community engagement route, with local areas having access to Council funding on a formula basis according to numbers of young people and the level of deprivation in the locality. This funding to be used in connection with other partnership resources which may be available in the locality;

·                     Outdoor Education Services as set out in paragraphs 39-37 of the report [i.e. sailing centre and canoe centre] to be subject to market testing to determine whether they are commercially viable with no public subsidy

(b)          options for future delivery of targeted youth services be explored through the phase 2 root and branch review;

(c)          should no suitable provider be found, the Director for People’s Services, be authorised to make arrangements to close the provision taking into consideration Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s recommendation that a report be submitted prior to any decision being taken;

(d)          In undertaking market testing the views of local Members, local community groups and other local authorities with experience of market testing be sought; and

(e)                   As a service to the community the Council facilitate the use of its website to provide a source of integrated local knowledge about youth service provision and a forum for providers and community groups to share ideas and innovation.