Issue - meetings

(Leisure & Well Being Portfolio Holder) To consider the attached report (C-063-2009/10).

That, as recommended by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 12 November 2009, a bid for District Development Funding in the sum of £12,000 for the operation of the Youth Council be made for 2010/11.

The Leisure & Wellbeing Portfolio Holder presented a report on future funding for the Epping Forest Youth Council.

The Portfolio Holder reminded the Cabinet that the Epping Forest Youth Council had been established for two years now with the original Youth Councillors completing their term of Office at Christmas 2009. Elections had been held in local schools in the Autumn to recruit new members for the Youth Council for the period 2010-12. Twenty-three young people had been elected, representing all the local secondary schools within the District, along with three independent candidates that went to schools outside of the District.

The Cabinet were informed that operation of the Youth Council currently cost the Council approximately £12,000 per annum, which included: travelling expenses and taxi fares; a wide range of training and development; special events such as Youth Debates; and Youth Council uniforms. This was not currently provided as part of the Continuing Services Budget and therefore, each year, the Youth Council was required to present its case for funding to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The outgoing Youth Councillors had delivered their presentation on 12 November 2009 and it was agreed to recommend a District Development Funding bid of £12,000 to the Cabinet.

Decision:

That, as recommended by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 12 November 2009, a bid for District Development Funding in the sum of £12,000 for the operation of the Youth Council be made for 2010/11.

Reasons for Decision:

The Youth Council required a minimum budget of £12,000 per annum to function, to cover travelling expenses for those without transport, a range of training such as media, public speaking, and chairing meetings, the costs of staging youth debates and forums as well as Youth Council uniforms for all Youth Councillors.

Other Options Considered and Rejected:

To reject the recommendation of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. However, this would mean that some Youth Councillors would not be able to attend meetings due to lack of transport; the necessary training could not be delivered and limited work could be undertaken by the Youth Council.