Issue - meetings

The recommendations to Cabinet from the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee are noted and it has been agreed that a copy of the report will be sent to the County Council.

Councillor Clarke addressed Cabinet and commented that older children had been a concern of Northampton for many years because their needs had not been met by either the Borough or County Councils. Most current provision was made by the voluntary sector and the Borough Council now needed to approach the County and acquire their resources to provide the services themselves. It was of particular concern that there were no facilities for older children in the Castle ward.

Councillor Mildren then addressed Cabinet.  He described the recommendations by Overview and Scrutiny to Cabinet as a wish list but warned that there would need to be acceptance and co-operation from the County Council to succeed in increased provision or to allow the Borough Council to do the work.  He suggested that it would be good for neighbouring schools to combine resources and offer community facilities, particularly in the light of the uncertainty over Community Centres.  He also recommended a website to communicate what was currently available. 

Councillor Hawkins addressed Cabinet. She was impressed at the depth and range of the review but was concerned as to what would happen next. She recommended the report and asked for an assurance of a positive outcome.

As former Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, Councillor Simpson presented the report to Cabinet. He described how the issue of facilities for older children had been selected by the Committee and explained some of the work that had gone into the report.  He suggested that the report was a starting point and urged cabinet to take the work forward in line with the recommendations.

In response to a question from Councillor PD Varnsverry, Councillor Simpson confirmed that the Council’s Youth Forum had been involved in the work, as had representatives from Connexions and the NAYC.  It was further noted that communication was important to ensure that young people were aware of what was already available for them. 

Cabinet gave their endorsement of the report and instructed Overview and Scrutiny to pass the policy to the County Council.  It was also requested that the Council work together with the County Council in the delivery of the recommendations.

RESOLVED

That the recommendations to Cabinet from the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee be noted and that a copy of the report be presented to the County Council.