Agenda item

To debate the petition regarding the Youth Service in accordance with the County Council’s Petitions Scheme.

Members were informed that the County Council’s Petitions Policy stated that a petition that included more than 5,000 signatures automatically prompted a debate at the next available Full Council meeting. 

A paper petition totalling 15,691 valid signatures was received on 3 March 2014.  The County Council was also in receipt of two e-petitions in respect of the same issue with a total number of signatures of 627.  (The overall number of valid signatures was therefore 16,318). 

The petition was on the following grounds:

We the undersigned petition Staffordshire County Council to reconsider and reverse its proposal to remove its Staffordshire Youth Service from the delivery of youth provision and of the closing of youth centres in Staffordshire.

The County Council proposes to save £4.5 million by ceasing to directly deliver youth services.  This would have a devastating effect on young people, parents, carers, communities in which young people live, study, volunteer and work in, public and voluntary organisations who work in partnership with the Staffordshire Youth Service.

Staffordshire Youth Workers are skilled, professional and experienced people who care about young people and make a difference to people’s lives.  What the County Council are proposing will destroy a much needed service.

Jenni Crosby, as spokesperson for the petitioners, outlined the possible implications of the proposed changes in youth provision; the need for proper scrutiny of the proposals and for any issues which were identified to be addressed. Danny, a service user, then spoke about the role of youth workers and centres and outlined the positive impact the Youth Service had had on his life.

In responding to the petition, Mr Sutton explained that 75% of young people did not use youth services provided by the County Council and that the current provision was no longer affordable and did not provide value for money.  He explained that, under the new proposals, resources would be allocated on a district by district basis according to local need rather than one flat rate for all districts.  Furthermore, the aim of the proposals was for the County Council to move away from directly supported youth clubs and to better support the voluntary/community sector to provide the right activities, support and advice for young people.

Members noted that, given the timing of the petition, no final decision had yet been taken on Youth Services.  That decision would be taken at Cabinet on 19 March 2014.  The debate on the petition provided an opportunity to inform that decision, alongside the impact assessment and wider consultation exercise that would be considered by Cabinet. 

Mr Deaville moved and Mr Greatorex seconded the following motion:

“That Council instructs the Cabinet to fully take account of the engagement process, all the replies to the consultation, the petitions and any views or recommendations of the Safer and Stronger Select Committee on March 17 before taking a decision on Achieving Excellence for Young People at their meeting on March 19.”

During the debate a range of issues were raised including:

·         Concern that there was an assumption that the voluntary sector would “mop-up” the youth provision no longer directly provided by the County Council when there was no evidence to show that this would be the case.

·         The expertise of youth workers and how this may be lost if the proposals were implemented.

·         Difficulty in recruiting/retaining volunteers.

·         Support for the Youth Parliament and Youth Action Kouncil.

·         Potential impact of the proposals on partner organisations such as the Police

·         The excellent youth services already provided by the voluntary sector and by churches/religious groups. 

·         The adequacy of the funding to be provided to support young people in the future.

In responding to the debate, Mr Adams indicated that the County Council listened to the views of young people and, by way of example, explained that the Young Persons Travel Card had been introduced as a direct result of representations made by members of the Youth Action Kouncil.  He also confirmed that the County Council would continue to support the Youth Parliament and Youth Action Kouncil and would also retain targeted youth support.  Mr Marshall also referred to the excellent training for volunteers provided by SCVYS.

Following a vote, the Chairman declared the motion carried.

RESOLVED – (a) That the petition in respect of the Youth Service be received.

(b) That Cabinet be instructed to fully take account of the engagement process, all the replies to the consultation, the petitions and any views or recommendations of the Safer and Stronger Select Committee on March 17 before taking a decision on Achieving Excellence for Young People at their meeting on March 19.

The Chairman adjourned the meeting until 2:45 pm

Present at 2:45 pm