Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of City Development,  which provides information on the involvement of young people in developing, designing and improving services and the vision for the future, including funding arrangements, sponsorship opportunities and proposed structural arrangements.

(Report attached)

Further to minute 39 of the meeting held 1^st December 2012 the Director of City Development submitted a report to the third Inquiry Session focussing on the involvement of young people in the development; delivery and improvement of services.

The Board withdrew to an informal meeting space to participate in a workshop attended by representatives of children and young people seeking to participate into the Inquiry

-  Two pupils from Colton Primary School and Sean Flesher, Head of Parks & Countryside – outlined the schools involvement in the design and choice of equipment now installed in the new Temple Newsam play area “Physcap” and the subsequent usage of the facility

-  Becky, Leeds Disability Sports Panel and Ross Bibby, Disability Sports Officer – discussed the work done to raise awareness of sports activities available to young people with disabilities

-  Alison, Jessica, Helen, Becca; and Nicki Ball of  LS Live – outlined the work they had done to report on events in Leeds for “radiowave” a safe social media network for young people and the media skills had acquired during a work experience placement

-  Ingi, Breeze participant – described her involvement in various Breeze projects in recent years and the experiences available to young people through the Breeze Programme

-  Erin and Matthew of Breeze Sports Academy – highlighted the courses available to Year 10 & 11 pupils which provided young people with experience, skills, qualifications and confidence necessary to embark on further training or careers

-  Dennis Robbins from the Hunslet Club provided a history of the club and its place as one of the largest voluntary organisations in the UK to provide courses, support and activities for young people

During discussions, the attendees raised the following issues

Breeze programme:

• Breeze provided young people opportunities to participate in events they may not naturally have had access to
• Public transport to some events was an issue with expense and location of events being key factors
• Lack of awareness of “mini breeze events”

Communication

• Some events may not be marketed appropriately to the target audiences
• Use of social networks to advertise supported
• Better communication needed to explain to young people why service/event provision may be changing
• Flagship events (such as Party in the Park/Ice Cube) could be better used to advertise other events for young people
• Noted the comment that local ward councillors should attend events for young people and assist in media campaigns
• The LS radio wave group had the skills to work with the media, why not engage them to make promotional videos

Engagement -

• work experience/training in organisations suggested to encourage young peoples interest and involvement
• Involvement in the design of scheme/event can lead to greater use as the scheme designed from young persons perspective
• young people want to volunteer but that the organisers/providers needed to team up so that young people could access the events
• some provision seen as static – such as the museum – these could attract more attendees if spaces were set aside specifically to showcase young people’s work or for interactive exhibits
• some provision – such as Tropical World – required young people under 16 years to be accompanied by an adult. Consider whether this is appropriate as prohibits older teens from attending
• noted the comment that Leeds Library had recently removed its Young Peoples section

The Chair thanked all the participants for their attendance; highlighting the benefit their participation had brought to the Inquiry. Councillor Rafique stated the Board would welcome similar sessions to continue the discussions on whether improvements had been achieved.

(Councillors Akhtar and Lyons left the meeting at this point )

At the conclusion of the workshop session, the Board recommenced the formal meeting and continued discussions on the  main themes arising from the discussions as being the importance of:

1. Communication and social networking, utilising appropriate and coherent methods to target audiences and choice of consultation groups
2. Young peoples involvement in scheme designs and creation of media to advertise events
3. Work experience opportunities
4. Showcases for young peoples work

(Councillor Akhtar resumed his seat and Councillor Morgan left the meeting at this point)

Having thanked officers for their contributions to the Inquiry and being satisfied with the information presented; the Board made the following initial recommendations :

1. That there should be greater collaborative working and interaction between Children’s Services (Youth Services) and City Development (Libraries, Arts &Heritage)
2. Accurate data gathering, targeting and marketing services in a much more informed way to promote engagement in areas where take up is lacking.
3. The example of “good practice” in a small proportion of the City and discussed on an Area, Cluster or Ward basis. This should be rolled out across the city to provide co-ordinated event information.
4. That every child in the city should have a Breeze Card and a proper strategy to achieve this should be developed

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the contents of the report; the discussions and the draft recommendations outlined in 1 to 4 above

b)  To endorse the vision for the future development of Breeze outlined in the submitted report, having regard to the comments made by the Board

c)  To thank the young people’s representatives for their attendance at the Inquiry and their participation in the workshop session