Present:-

Councillors Gribble (Chairman), Brook, Clarance, Clatworthy, Mrs Fry, Hook, Smith and Walters

Teignbridge District Council

Councillor Haines

Devon Association of Local Councils

Councillor Swain

Apologies

Councillors Connett, McMurray

*68 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 7 July 2011 be signed as a correct record, subject to the addition of:- Cllr Mrs Fry to the list of apologies; and an addition to minute 63 (paragraph 2, sentence 2) ie:- The DALC representative had criticised the NHS in respect of the proposed closures where consultation had only been carried out retrospectively.

*69 Overview of the County Council

Mrs Heather Barnes, Strategic Director Place presented an overview of the County Council s significant reorganisation and higher management restructure over the last 6 months, providing a leaner, more focussed and good value authority whilst protecting Devon s vulnerable people and invigorating local community involvement by supporting both individuals and communities to best effect in line with the Council s core principles of Care, Community, Enterprise and Value and it s Strategic Plan. Mrs Barnes explained the responsibilities of the Corporate Leadership Team and Heads of Service and functions within the new structure. The services were now currently being restructured. The Strategic Director also explained the authority s continuing dialogue with central government and the Chief Executive s additional role as Chairman of the Association of County Council Chief Executives.

Members would welcome a revised organisation wheel presented today (this was being developed to include links to further information, e-contacts etc).

The DALC representative would welcome details of local highway contacts since this had not yet reached his parish council although other members confirmed their parish councils had received this.

RESOLVED

(a) that further organisational details be forwarded to members once these were available;

(b) that local contact details sent to parish councils be forwarded to the DALC representative.

*70 Devon Youth Service Teignbridge District Update

(a) Mr Brett Rowson, Acting Team Leader Devon Youth Service (DYS), Southern Team and Mr Kevin Henman, Devon Youth Service Service Delivery Manager presented an update report on the Teignbridge DYS.

The summer activities programme had been highly successful, but the new trial for the introductory boxing activity which members had questioned at the last meeting had poor take up and would be reviewed. A large number of young people had been eligible for Don t Stop Me Now government funding which had contributed to the success of the summer activities, but next Easter activities could see a drop in take up since this funding had ceased. Other government funding was now being targeted more towards the metropolitan areas following the summer riots.

The update also included the DYS restructuring with Teignbridge and South Hams now amalgamated into the Southern Team and Area Youth Workers now covering two market towns rather than one. Youth sessions were at maximum capacity in Teignbridge with sessions needing to close at times since even though staff were flexible, staffing levels within the team could not cover annual leave and sick leave. This was disappointing given that consistency in staffing and opening times were important to young people attending. The Devon Youth Service continued to work with those young people with most needs.

The Chances educational support services continued to be successful although there was additional pressure on staff particularly with the Senior Area Youth Worker acting up as Team Leader.

The government pilot of the National Citizenship awards over the summer holidays aimed at 16 year olds had received mixed reports, with some young people gaining experience for going on to vocational work, but others finding the programme beneficial at the time but had no follow up provision and not all young people were engaging in the community part of the programme following the residential. This scheme was costly compared to Devon Youth Service provision.

(b) The People s Scrutiny Committee had also asked all Locality (County) Committees to comment upon Youth Service provision in their localities and draw to the attention of that Committee any issues and any concerns they may have that, in turn, may be taken into account in the Scrutiny Committee s consideration of proposals for the Youth Service to be discussed by the Cabinet in the Autumn, as indicated in the Cabinet Forward Plan. This Locality Committee was particularly concerned that:-

- the number of volunteers was decreasing at a time when sessions were at their busiest, the decrease due in part to volunteers now feeling that any further opportunities (eg employment in youth work) they could take up as a result of this experience were now more limited;

- the effects of budget reductions and in particular the closure of sessions and potentially youth centres for young people as well.

RESOLVED

(i) that this Committee formally records its thanks to Brett Rowson and the Devon Youth Service Southern Team for their continued support during this difficult period;

(ii) that the People s Scrutiny Committee be advised of this Committee s concerns that the number of volunteers was decreasing at a time when Youth Service sessions take up by young people were at their highest level and effects of budget reductions on provision as outlined above.

*71 14+ Update

Mr John Peart, Head of 14+ Learning and Skills explained to members his responsibility to ensuring there were sufficient post-16 places for students in schools and further education colleges in Devon.

He worked closely with both the Economy and Enterprise (on 16-18 apprenticeships) and Child Adult Protection Heads of Service. Mr Peart reported on vocational skills provison in the Teignbridge area and ensuring there were the right skills at the right level for the local economy. Whilst schools were good at providing academic post-16 qualifications, vocational training (eg hairdressing and mechanics) was still generally provided in other settings and a new vocational centre, Newton Abbot Skills Centre was opening in Newton Abbot in September 2012 for 16-18 year olds to help to make up the shortfall of vocational training in the area particularly at Level 1. The 14+ Learning and Skills service also worked closely with South Devon College, Exeter College and the Newton Abbot Schools to provide appropriate skills for Teignbridge post-16 students. In view of significant unemployment in 19-24 year olds the 14+ service was also talking to employers about what was needed prior to age 19 so that there was the right intervention at an earlier age.

Some employers still wanted to take on apprentices and there needed to be good communication links between DCC and employers to encourage this wherever possible and to support small medium businesses in particular. It was generally felt that there was a lot of bureaucracy for employers in taking on apprentices in view of the number of agencies involved and many employers were currently experiencing their own training budget cuts which could reflect in the number of apprenticeships available.

*72 Early Years and Childcare Services (EYCS) Termly Update

The Committee received the report of Susan Bolt, EYCS giving an update on new facilities/closures, outstanding Ofsted reports, Children s Centres and other news.

*73 Members Development Steering Group

The Committee received the minutes of the meeting held on 27 September 2011.

*74 Locality Budget 2011/12

(a) Confirmation of Spending Proposals and Spend to Date

Councillor Clarance declared a personal interest in this matter as a member of Shaldon Parish Council in relation to minute 74(a)(iii) ie provision of Fuji salt spreader and Mont Blanc salt spreader to Shaldon Parish Council

The Committee considered the report of the Locality Development Officer (CS/11/2 - text only | pdf CS/11/2) on the locality budget current budget position as at 28 October 2011, together with the spending proposals approved by the Chairman or Vice-Chairman since the last meeting. Appendix 1 provided a summary of approved spending to date.

Further new spending proposals for members now to consider were also reported at the meeting.

RESOLVED

(i) that the new spending proposals set out in Table 1 of report SC/11/23 - text onlySC/11/23 be approved subject to the amount for the purchase of a towed salt spreader for Teigngrace Parish Council and a towed salt spreader for Ideford Parish Council being amended to 1,312.00 each (instead of the 1,302.00 each);

(ii) that further new spending proposals reported at the meeting as set out below be approved:-

Organisation	Nature of Project	Name of Councillor(s)	Amount Of funding
DCC Highways	For grit bin in Castlewood Avenue at junction of Norman Close, Newton Abbot	Cllr Anne Fry	300.00
DCC Highways	Additional grit bin for Coffinswell PC	Cllr Dennis Smith	300.00
Moretonhampstead PC	For restoration of Cross Tree Plinth	Cllr George Gribble	2,000.00
Shaldon Business Forum	For Christmas Fayre to promote Shaldon based crafters	Cllr Chris Clarance	250.00
Ippelpen Parish Council	For purchase of towed salt spreader	Cllr Dennis Smith	1,312.00
AIMS Dawlish Special Needs Group	Contribution to building a storage shed	Cllr John Clatworthy	500.00
Moretonhampstead Youth Association	Contribution to furnishing new youth centre	Cllr George Gribble	1,000.00

(iii) that the spending proposals set out in Appendix 1 as agreed by the Chairman/Vice-Chairman since the previous meeting be confirmed;

(iv) that the current budget position for 2011/12 be noted.

(b) Teignbridge Community Transport

In accordance with SO23(2) Councillor Hook had requested the Committee to consider a request from Teignbridge Community Transport for financial assistance to replace two 16 seat minibuses with wheelchair facility. There was a shortfall of funds of around 60k. The organisation was keen to replace these vehicles as soon as possible since the lead up to Christmas was the busiest time of year for them and a lifeline to many in the community.

Councillor Hook requested members to consider a contribution from individual members locality budgets sympathetically.

*75 Future Meetings

(a) Dates (agreed within the County Council Calendar)

Thursday 15 March 2012

Thursday 5 July 2012

Thursday 15 November 2012

Thursday 14 March 2013

All meetings will be held at 10.00am at Forde House, Newton Abbot.

(b) Work Plan/Items for Future Discussion

- NHS Impact Study

-14+ Update

- Early Years and Childcare Service (termly)

- Liaison with Torbay Council eg tourism

- Youth Parliament Update

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 10am and finished at 1pm.

The Minutes of the Teignbridge County Committee are published on the County Council s Website at:-