Agenda item

Item two was introduced by Paul Scholfield and Katie Harman, from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). 

Paul and Katie gave an overview of the Government’s plans to review the Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities in respect of their duty to provide youth services, this coming autumn 2019. The aim of the review is to clarify the Government’s expectations around the duty. As part of the review, there will be a call for evidence to better understand how the current guidance is being used and what improvements may need to be made to the guidance. The review will not be considering any changes to the statutory duty itself.

Paul and Katie’s presentation gave an overview of their plans for the eight week consultation, and sought input from Board members on what the revised consultation should include.  Their presentation included details around:

-       The review’s remit this work does not include looked after young people, young people within the youth justice system, troubled families, or young people with SEND. 

-       The work was inherited from the Department of Education, and forms part of the 2010 Education Act.  Paul reminded members that this agenda hasn’t been reviewed for nine years. 

-       Funding arrangements to local government and how this has declined substantially in recent years.

-       The role of the local government sector and its development from providing residents with these provisions. 

-       The different models of funding and service providers.  

-       The youth investment fund; DCMS is currently in discussion with the Treasury, who has given a ‘green light’ for investment in major new developments for front line services and infrastructure.

In the discussion that followed, members then made the following points:

A significant part of the discussion focused around funding, mainly; the need to recruit and retain quality and well-qualified staff, including investment in wages; balancing this with the investment in infrastructure; and the need to ensure funding across the country is fair and sustainable, as many rural areas are facing the same issues and inner cities. 

Members questioned if this call for evidence will be used to discuss investment opportunities with the Treasury.  Paul confirmed it would. 

Concerns were raised over looked after young people, and the most vulnerable within areas, not being included in this work.  Paul responded that whilst this work is not aimed directly at these young people who fall within the SEND, troubled families or looked after categories, his team continue to jointly work with other government departments to produce a coherent, quality offer for local areas. 

Members agreed that recreational activities and skills are vital for young people’s development; however, members raised concerns that was no mention to safeguarding issues and questioned how this consultation will address the knife crime epidemic.  Paul responded that local police and crime commissioner safeguarding frameworks will be adopted, and stated that this funding will aim to dramatically reduce serious youth crime. 

Members also mentioned the need for digital components, given how important the digital and creative plays a part in young people’s lives, and if the consultation will engage young people.  Paul responded that digital and creative will form a large part of the consultations agenda, and that the work aims to engage young people through voluntary and statutory, front-line organisations.  This led onto a discussion regarding the need to link up private, statutory and third sector organisations and the importance in ensuring all three sectors are consulted.  Paul agreed with this.

Members discussed the LGA’s Bright Future Campaign, and agreed that much of this can form a basis of the response to the consultation.  Members also urged Paul and Katie to use Bright Futures as a platform when formulating the consultation.

The Chair thanked Paul and Katy for their time, and stated the Board will be keeping a close focus on the DCMS’ work in this area.

Decisions

1. Members provided feedback to DCMS colleagues on the content of the revised statutory guidance. 
2. Members provided feedback to officers to shape the LGA’s response to the review.