Issue - meetings

Sarah Ferguson, Area Manager Localities and Partnership (Children and Young People Services), Cambridgeshire County Council, presented this item, which had two purposes:

• To update the meeting on developments in the Children’s Trust arrangements for Cambridgeshire, and the implications for the South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City Area Children and Young People’s Partnership. 
• To invite members of the Board to consider how the Area Partnership could be effectively represented on a combined Local Strategic Partnership Board with the City.

It was noted that the Children and Young People’s Area Partnership does not have a budget.

It was understood that the research project into children and young people living in deprivation, could have findings that would be of use to the Board and its members.

The Board agreed to consider the Children and Young People’s Area Partnership’s representation on the Board when it looks into the merger and to take a report on the research that has been commissioned into needs across City and South Cambs.

The Board NOTED the report.

The Plan is enclosed separately with the agenda for members of Cabinet. It may also be viewed on the Intranet/web site.

Cabinet AGREED to adopt the Children and Young People’s Plan for Cambridgeshire.

The Community Development Portfolio Holder presented the detailed requirements and implications for the District Council of the Cambridgeshire Children and Young People’s Plan, the legal requirements of which had been presented to Cabinet in December 2005.  She expressed her concern that the District Council could no longer have as great an input into the outcomes following the capping exercise, which had reduced the number of officers and finances available for youth provision, such as working with sports groups for young people, but promised that the Community Development staff would do their best within the current resources.

Councillor JA Hockney noted that the newly-established Community, Arts and Sport Advisory Group would oversee Youth Provision, and congratulated Community Development officers on their forward-looking and positive outlook, sentiments which were supported by the Cabinet and extended to all officers of the Council.

Cabinet AGREED to adopt the Children and Young People’s Plan for Cambridgeshire.

Cabinet AGREED that:

(a)               The Community Development Portfolio Holder be appointed as the lead member for children and young people; and

(b)               Any comments on the draft Children Plan be incorporated into a response to the consultation, including asking Parish Councils to consult with children and young people when drawing up Parish Plans.

The Children Act 2004 set statutory duties on District Councils to work in partnership with other organisations to improve outcomes for all children and young people.  The Community Development Portfolio Holder reminded Members that departmental resources had been much reduced and that the Council needed to be seen to do what it could within its limited resources.  The Head of Community Services confirmed that it was anticipated that the Council would work with the County Council’s locality teams, but the working relationship had yet to be defined.

Members highlighted the importance of preventative work on homelessness.

Cabinet AGREED that:

(a)               The Community Development Portfolio Holder be appointed as the lead member for children and young people; and

(b)               Any comments on the draft Children Plan be incorporated into a response to the consultation, including asking Parish Councils to consult with children and young people when drawing up Parish Plans.