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 on 11 August 2015 (attached).

The notes from the last meeting on 11 August 2015 were agreed as a correct record.

To note the Terms of Reference (attached).

The Panel noted the Terms of reference.

To consider the final report (attached).

The Panel considered the draft report which made recommendations in relation to the Epping Forest Youth Council and the future delivery of youth provisions by the Community Services and Safety, which would be presented to the Overview and Scrutiny committee on 20 October 2015. The Panel agreed that the report read well and reflected the thoughts of the Panel.

The Panel suggestion a few minor typographical corrections to the report and asked that the words ‘in terms of the wider Youth Engagement’ be added to recommendation i) in relation the Epping Forest Youth Council.

The Panel discussed the recommendation regarding the Continuing Services Budget (CSB) Growth of £25,000 per annum, for targeted work and felt that examples of the type of work and outcomes should be included in the main body of the report at paragraphs 21 and 22 to support the recommendation.

The Panel discussed further engagement between Councillors and Youth Councillors on a social level, through speed meetings, volunteering events and around Youth Council project work. Matthew advised that the Youth Council had invited Councillors to previous events where it had worked well and would look at future events.

The Panel discussed the presentation of the report to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and concluded that the Vice Chairman, Councillor Mohindra and Youth Councillor Jaymey McIvor would present the report.

The Panel wanted to make sure that the report and presentation reflected how much the services were valued and that provision of services were better provided by the Council and local organisations and not at arms length.

The Panel agreed that;

(a)          recommendation i) read ‘ that the Council retains and continues to support and develop the Youth Council in terms of the wider youth engagement’;

(b)          recommendation v) reads ‘… by the Neighbourhood and Communities Select Panel’;

(c)          paragraphs 21 and 22 included examples of targeted work and outcomes to support the recommendation; and

(d)          the Chairman and Vice Chairman would agree the amended report before it was submitted to the Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 20 October 2015.

The Chairman thanked the Youth Councillors and Officers for taking part and providing a clear understanding of Youth Engagement and the Panel Members for a thorough review.