1500-1600

Youth Offending Team:  Andrena Fuller

Nursery Provision: Rachel Williams

The Chair commenced the meeting by welcoming colleagues from the Youth Offending Team, Andrena Fuller, Early Years Provision, Rachael Williams and Torbay Locality Team, Gail Rogers. The Commission introduced themselves.

Youth Event Feedback

Gail Rogers, Torbay Locality Manager feedback on the recent event held on 5^th October at Parkfield Youth Hub attended by young people from the ages of 13 – 17 years.  The event was based on the element of the Participation Strategy – Voice of Young People.  Over 40 young people attended the morning session and 30 attended for the whole day.  Those attending represented groups/organisations from across the Bay and was represented by Children in Care, Young Carers, Young people with disabilities and the Youth Parliament.

Headlines from the event consisted of questioning commissioners/Officers individually in groups.  Key questions were asked around preventing bullying, reducing Youth Unemployment, plans to improve Torbay and improving equal rights for people with disabilities. Response/ ideas included:-

·         Torbay Grand Designs (young people’s ideas if they had money to spend on services)

Cycling and bike hire/paths; bigger sports centre

Transition into adulthood – difficulty

High cost transport

More investment/more jobs

Bins and litter

Homelessness

More services for bullying and sex education at school

More and better shops

Better parks

More colour into the Bay

·         Aspirations – young people had good strong aspirations

·         Help to achieve – support, confidence, social help, money from jobs, people believing in me

·         Stop you achieving – No money, lack of jobs, having to leave home to find jobs, family crisis, illness & health, school holding me back, bullying, stress, no-one to help and being told I can’t

It was noted by the Commission that the poor quality of sex education in schools had been raised previously and any issues would be followed up through the Youth Offending Team.

The Commission recognised and noted the emerging themes from past evidence relating to and supporting the young people’s feelings.  They also considered, questioned and agreed their responsibility to respond back to the young people on their key issues. 

The Chair thanked Gail for sharing the findings with the Commission.

Youth Offending Team

Andrena Fuller outlined the main issues for the Youth Offending Team facing children and families which were:-

Family Breakdown

Domestic Violence

Homelessness

Low aspirations

Low school attendance

Substance Misuse

Rise in sexual offences

The Commission noted that 90-95% of parents are not in work as well as high incidences of depression and mental health issues which significantly impacts on the aspirations of the young people.

In relationship with income poverty: These issues affected families by stopping them engaging in family activities and no strong work ethic. 

The Commission noted that speech and language difficulties were picked up early in both young people and parents through a screening process which is included in any intervention plans.  Mentoring support to parents enable parents to access Parenting programmes successfully.

3 things that would make a difference and improve things:  included ability to access training and skills learning, mentoring for young people,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

Apologies were received from Anna Kettley

Overview and Scrutiny Youth Unemployment Report: update to responses – Richard Williams

The minutes of the last meeting on 3^rd September 2013 were checked for accuracy and agreed to be a true recording of the meeting

5          (iv) Overview and Scrutiny Youth Unemployment Report:  RW         circulated response to recommendations

7          (i) Draft interim Child Poverty Commission ‘Torbay Gains’ – no        feedback/comments received

            (iii) Feedback on Neighbour Plans:  Pat Stewart to be contacted (JS)

Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (Cllr Julien Parrock)

(evidence to be considered)

Fixed Odds Betting Terminals

Councillor Julien Parrott introduced a paper which researched into the issue regarding the proliferation of FOBTs in Torbay. 

The Commission considered the evidence and agreed to reference the report under the financial inclusion section relating to debt linking to the need for families to manage their budgets.

Torbay Child Poverty Commission ‘Torbay Gains’ – Michelle Kennedy

Michelle Kennedy (Chair) updated the Commission on the financial amendments added to the draft Interim Child Poverty ‘Torbay Gains’ report.  She will continue to build in additional evidence and updating the recommendations. 

It was agreed that the draft final report will be circulated in advance of the meeting on 25^th November by the 31^st October 2013.  The Commission will feedback comments to Michelle by 6^th November 2013.

None

16^th October 1500-1700 Mez 4 Tor Hill House

25^th November 1330-1530 Boardroom Townhall

25^th November 1330-1530 Boardroom Town Hall