To question the Mayor on his response to the Board’s review of Youth Unemployment.

The Overview and Scrutiny Board had completed its review of youth unemployment and published its report in June 2013.  The Board requested that the Mayor attend the meeting to discuss his response to the report which members of the Board had recently received.

The recommendations from the Board’s report highlighted that Torbay Council must lead by example and use its influence to ensure that young people in Torbay have access to the:

·         Right careers education, information, advice and guidance

·         Right skills

·         Right employment opportunities.

However, in agreeing its report, the Board recognised that many of the issues surrounding employment skills were beyond the control of the Council, as commissioning and funding comes via other agencies in Torbay.  The Board had therefore held an Inquiry Day on 13 November 2013 to discuss with a range of stakeholders how the whole community could work together to address the skills gap within Torbay, both now and in the future, to ensure a thriving and sustainable economy.

The Mayor, the Executive Director – Operations and Finance and the Director of Children’s Services attended the meeting and reassured the Board that the Council was “leading by example” and that a report would be submitted to the Senior Leadership Team in January 2014 on targets for the number of apprenticeships within the Council with the new approach being launched during National Apprenticeship Week in 2014.  It was also hoped that the Council’s procurement policies could be broadened to encourage the use of apprenticeships.

The Board and the Director of Children’s Services discussed the role that schools should play in ensuring young people were equipped for the world of work.  This had been a clear theme which had emerged from the Board’s Inquiry Day.  The Director offered to co-ordinate a meeting between members of the Board, schools and Careers South West to provide an opportunity for further debate about these issues.

To consider the report of the Youth Unemployment Review Panel.

The Board considered the final draft report on Youth Unemployment in Torbay which had been prepared by the review panel chaired by Councillor Pentney.

Resolved:  that the report be adopted, published and forwarded to the Mayor for his consideration and response.