Issue - meetings

It was moved by Mr Orson, seconded by Mr Snartt, and carried:-

“That the Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2014/15, attached as Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.”

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Children and Families which presented the Youth Justice Plan 2014/15 for its consideration. A copy of the report, marked ‘14’, is filed with these minutes.

The Cabinet noted comments received from the Scrutiny Commission, a copy of which, marked ‘14A’, is filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED:

a)    That subject to (b) below the draft Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2014/15 as appended to this report be submitted to the County Council meeting in July 2014 for approval;

b)    That the Director of Children and Family Services following consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member, be authorised to make any amendments to the draft Strategic Plan which might arise from its final consideration by the Youth Offending Service Management Board on 30 May 2014.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The County Council has a statutory duty under Section 40 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to produce an annual Youth Justice Plan.

The Cabinet Lead Member for Safer Communities, Mr. J. T. Orson JP CC, has been invited to the meeting for this item.

The Commission considered a report of the Director of Children and Family Services concerning the Draft Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2014/15. A copy of the report, marked “Agenda Item 9”, is filed with these minutes.

The Director of Children and Family Services introduced the report by stating that the Youth Offending Service had followed the Supporting Leicestershire Families Service in moving from the Chief Executive’s Department to the Children and Young People’s Service. The report would continue to be considered by the Scrutiny Commission in future years in its capacity as “crime and disorder” scrutiny committee.

The Chairman welcomed to the meeting the Cabinet Lead Member for Community Safety, Mr. J. T. Orson JP CC, who stressed the good work that had been carried out in this area, despite the savings reductions that had been made.

Arising from a discussion on the Plan, the following points were noted:

·                The Service was congratulated for its 68.3% reduction of first time entrants into the youth justice system;

·                It was noted that the risk management section (set out in pages 51 to 53) did not presently include a scale of risk. It was noted that the higher the risk score given, the higher the risk;

·                It was felt by some members that it would be helpful to include more qualitative information around the work that was being carried out to tackle the issues highlighted in the Plan;

·                Work continued with the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) on some of the issues highlighted in the Plan and he had been consulted on its content. It was noted that the PCC presently funded around 8% of the Youth Offending Service’s budget.

RESOLVED:

That the Draft Youth Justice Plan 2014/15 be commended to the Cabinet for consideration at its meeting on 1 April 2014.