THREE RIVERS DISTRICT COUNCIL
At a meeting of the Scrutiny Panel held in the Dickinson Room, Three Rivers House, Northway, Rickmansworth on Monday 26 March 2007 from 7.30pm to 10pm
Present:CouncillorsDavid Sansom (Chairman), Francis Durham (Vice-Chairman), Chris BrearleyCB, Paul Goggins, Chris Lloydand Russell Smith
Apology for absence was received from Councillor Keith Peutherer.
Also in attendance CouncillorsAnn Shaw OBEand Barbara Lamb MBE.
Officers:Tony Beirne-Director of Strategic Services
George Roberson-Head of Corporate Development
Elwyn Wilson-Democratic Services Manager
SP59/06MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Panel held on Monday 26February 2007 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
SP60/06REVIEW OF HERTSCOUNTY COUNCIL SERVICES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE – RESPONSE TO LETTER FROM HERTS COUNTY COUNCIL
The Chairman welcomed to the meeting MrAndrew Simmon, Chief Executive of Connexions, Hertfordshire, who had agreed to give a presentation on Integrated Youth Support Services Review. (A copy of the presentation is attached to these minutes.)
A question and answer session took place.
Question
How did Connexions come into existence?
Answer
It took on a number of areas such as Youth Services and Careers Service to provide an integrated Youth Support Service, Information Advice and Guidance to young people.
Question
If a child is excluded from school, how is that picked up by Connexions?
Answer
Connexions works with the school to keep that child in the school. There is an annual discussion on children at risk and resources are allocated accordingly. Children also attended an Education and Support Centre.
Question
In reply to this Council’s review on Herts County Council’s Services for Young People, this Council reiterated comments from young people that they did not find the youth service welcoming and were only permitted to venues if taking part in activities that were “improving” or “educational”.. The reply from Herts County Council suggested this was not the case.
Answer
The young person was giving a valid view of the support service. Together, we have to find a way of responding by entering into negotiations with young people and find out what matters to them. There is too much concentration on targets and qualifications.
Question
Will the consultation on the Development Plan for Integrated Youth Support Services include consultation on finance?
Answer
The consultation will be on how to take forward the Government’s vision on Integrated Youth Services in Hertfordshire. There are not huge capital sums available, young people are more interested in services than buildings but do need revenue resources.
Question
In respect of finance, Connexions budget is £11 million, of which £9 million comes from Central Government and £4.4 million is spent on the Youth Service, giving a spend of £52 per head. Is Hertfordshire doing well?
Answer
Yes. This area has a buoyant economy and Connexions supports young people to make the most of it. Investment now would make a difference in adult life. The Core budget of £9 million, which will increase to £11 million next year with additional funds from Central Government
Question
Does Connexions provide a service to non-state schools?
Answer
Yes. Connexions provide a basic career guidance service and has referral arrangements. There is also a tracking arrangement for young people who live in Three Rivers. Currently, there are 107 young people not in education (84 are available for work training and 23 are not available through serious illness, etc).
Question
How do you survey young people that may not come into contact with Connexions?
Answer
Market research has shown that 94% of young people in Hertfordshire are aware of Connexions.
Question
Connexions is to make contact with 25% of young people. What number is that?
Answer
30,000 young people in Hertfordshire and that figure is set by Central Government. Some Government targets are critical as they impact on a service. In a survey 79% contacted indicated that Connexions made a difference.
Question
There is a need to support young people with disabilities after getting on to college courses, because of lack of support they have to leave such courses.
Answer
The support of young people with disabilities has been identified as a weakness by Herts County Council in a review of the service. The cost of such support is significant and is a challenge for the Adult Care Budget.
The Chairman thanked MrSimmons for his presentation.
The Scrutiny Panel at its meeting on 25September 2006 had recommended a number of suggestions be made to Herts County Council as to how services to young people in the Distinct should be provided. The letter sent containing this Council’s recommendations and response provided by the County Council were attached to the report before the Panel. The Panel considered a draft to the County Council in reply to its response provided by the Head of Corporate Development, which had taken in comments and concerns from Members.
The Panel approved the letter subject to amendments and noted that it would be signed by both the Chairman of this Panel and Leader of the Council.
ACTION AGREED:-
(1)that the Executive Committee approve the response to Herts County Council subject to the Head of Corporate Development incorporating a number of changes and ensuing that the letter closes on a positive note.
[NB: Copy of amended letter is attached to these minutes.]
SP61/06MANAGEMENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS
The Panel was informed of the proposals to improve the Democratic Process.
In reply to comments by Members it was noted:-
1.Officers would reinforce a previous decision that information items would not be included on agendas for meetings of Committees and Panels unless that information had been requested by the Committee or Panel.
2.The cost of a feasibility study into digitally recording and web casting meetings would be met from within current resources.
3.Laptops would be used at most meetings by the Committee Section.
4.The contents of Development Control minutes would be different from other meetings.
5.A review of the improvements would be reported to this Panel after twelve months.
AGREED:-
(1)that, subject to the above comments, the planned improvements to the production of Minutes be noted; and
(2)that a detailed feasibility study to digitally record and web cast meetings be approved, the cost of the study being met within current resources.
SP62/06STRATEGIC PLAN – PROSPEROUS COMMUNITIES
The Panel received a presentation from the Director of Strategic Services to demonstrate to the Panel how section 3.2 of the Strategic Plan was being delivered, measured and achieved.
The Panel agreed with the suggestion that the relevant partners, Heads of Service, (Chief Transportation and Development Officer, Head of Leisure Services and Head of Corporate Development) attend the Panel and explain how their services are contributing to ensuring that no Ward in the District will be in the bottom quartile of the Government’s overall indices of deprivation.
ACTION AGREED:-
(1)that the presentation be noted;
(2)that the Chief Transportation and Development Officer be invited to attend the next meeting of the Panel to explain how his service is contributing to the Strategy Plan to reduce pockets of deprivation.
SP63/06SCRUTINY RECOMMENDATIONS
The Panel received an update on the outcome of its decisions.
AGREED:-
that the report be noted.
SP64/06SCRUTINY PANEL’S WORK PROGRAMME
The Panel considered a report detailing its work programme.
The Panel requested that if the report on the review of Scrutiny by the IDEA was submitted to the next meeting of the Panel, the Chief Executive be requested to attend the meeting in the absence of the Director of Strategic Services
AGREED:-
that the items included in the Scrutiny Panel work programme be approved.
SP65/06FORWARD PLAN
The Panel considered the Forward Plan for the period 1 April 2007–31 July 2007 in order to identify suitable issues for scrutiny.
AGREED:-
that the Forward Plan be noted.
CHAIRMAN
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