Decision details

The Director of Children and Families submitted a report presenting the proposed Leeds Youth Justice Plan for the period 2021 – 2024 following the related consultation exercise which had been undertaken, with a recommendation that the Board referred the Plan to full Council for approval and formal adoption in line with the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules.

The Executive Member introduced the report and in doing so highlighted the priorities set out in the plan, together with the range of cross-directorate and partnership work taking place to deliver such priorities. Also, it was noted that further information from Government was awaited regarding the extent to which any potential additional funding could be accessed to support work in this area following the recent Spending Review.

Responding to a specific enquiry regarding the preventative work in place to support those young people who may be deemed at higher risk of becoming involved in the justice system, the Board received information on the partnership approach being taken in this area, with an offer that further detail / a briefing could be provided to the Member in question, if required.

The Board acknowledged the priorities set out within the Plan which included the provision of support for those communities and cohorts which were disproportionately represented in the overall statistics of those involved in the youth justice system. In response to a Member’s specific question, details were provided on the actions being taken to support other communities and cohorts in Leeds where involvement in the justice system was prevalent. 

Also, the Board received information on the expected timeframe regarding future review and inspection of the service by H.M. Inspectorate of Probation. 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Leeds Youth Justice Plan 2021 – 24, as appended to the submitted report, be endorsed, and that agreement be given to refer the Plan to full Council in January 2022 for the purposes of approval and formal adoption, as part of the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework;

(b)  That the preferred approach, which is for the Board to endorse the Youth Justice Plan on a 3-year cycle and refer to full Council for approval and formal adoption, be approved;

(c)  That it be noted that the responsible officers for the implementation of such matters are the Service Manager, Leeds Youth Justice Service and the Head of Service, Children Looked After.

(The matters referred to within this minute, given that they were decisions being made in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules, were not eligible for Call In, as Executive and Decision Making Procedure Rule 5.1.2 states that the power to Call In decisions does not extend to those decisions being made in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules)