Agenda and minutes

(Director of Governance)  To report the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting.

The Panel noted there were no substitute Members appointed for this meeting.

(Director of Governance) To declare interests on any items on the agenda.

In considering whether to declare a pecuniary or non-pecuniary interest under the Code of Conduct, Overview and Scrutiny members are asked to pay particular attention to paragraph 11 of the Code in addition to the more familiar requirements.

This requires the declaration of a pecuniary or non-pecuniary interest in any matter before an OS Committee which relates to a decision of or action by another Committee or Sub-Committee of the Council, a Joint Committee or Joint Sub-Committee in which the Council is involved and of which the Councillor is also a member.

Paragraph 11 does not refer to Cabinet decisions or attendance at an OS meeting purely for the purpose of answering questions or providing information on such a matter.

There were no declarations of interest pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct.

To agree the notes of the meeting held 8 July 2015 (attached).

The notes from the last meeting on 8 July 2015 were agreed as a correct record subject to the inclusion of the Community Services Structure and that the report and minutes of the Youth Strategy Group which Edward Nkwelle referred to, had not been included.

The Panel noted that Officers had tried to retrieve a copy of the report and subsequence minutes of the Youth Strategy Group from Essex County Council (ECC) but they had not been forth coming.  The Panel felt that without the report they were unable to assess the contribution of Youth Provision that ECC provided.

To note the Terms of reference (attached).

The Panel noted the Terms of Reference.

To consider the reports and findings of the Youth Engagement Review as presented at previous meetings and draw up a list of draft recommendations, for ratification at the final meeting of the Panel.

The Chairman asked the Panel to consider the information that had been provided at the previous meetings in conjunction with the Terms of Reference, for a clear steer on recommendations to be put to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding Youth Engagement Review.

The Panel advised that they had gained a detailed knowledge of the Youth Council and the role they played in the District and to their peers. Councillor Surtees commented that further consideration was required around increasing their status to Adult Members, as it was felt that Members were not always aware of Youth Council. He also stated that there was a potential to widen the reach of the Youth Council in rural areas of the District.

M Tinker advised that the Youth Council could present to Full Council as well as Overview and Scrutiny to increase their awareness. The Panel felt that this should part of a recommendation to inform all Members about the Youth Council.

Councillor Neville commented on the usefulness of recent update received in the Members Bulletin and that this was a good way of showcasing the Youth Council to Members.

The Panel felt that some of the comments received back from the schools highlighted the need for a good relationship between the schools and the Youth Council and where this was good the Youth Councillors had excelled. The Panel was very impressed overall by the communication to their peers.

Councillor Patel advised that the Youth Council had provided value for money considering that the associated costs and budget had never been increased since the beginning, that 39% of the running costs had been raised by external funding and that the Youth Council had independently applied and acquired external funding.

Councillor Patel asked for comments to be included within the narrative from Local Partners such as Vicky Ford “The Epping Forest Youth Council has been a shining example across Essex and is frequently referred to positively.” He felt that this reinforced what evidence the Panel had been shown.

The Panel asked M Tinker, as a Youth Councillor what he thought had been a significant achievement of Youth Council. M Tinker advised that winning the High Sheriff Award for the Bullying Campaign. The campaign had been highlight through the Youth Conference as one of the major concerns of the young people in the District. The award also achieved external funding and created further publicity for the project enabling the advice to be carried further for young people.

The Panel also commented on the Intergenerational events which the Youth Council had taken part in around the District, showing further that the Youth Council not only worked with the peers but other age’s groups.

Councillor Mohindra added that schools should be encouraged to work with the Youth Council at every opportunity and he would like the Youth Council to be a future consultee on Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Panel felt that if a relationship with a school began to diminish, then Ward Councillors or School Governors  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

To note that the next meeting will be held on Monday 14 September 2015 at 19.00 in Committee Room 1, Civic Offices, Epping.

The Panel noted that the next meeting would be Monday 14 September 2015 at 19.00 in Committee Room 1.