Agenda item

Ian Parsons addressed the Panel on the matter of Duke of Edinburgh Award funding. He said that he was one of seven leaders that worked in the local area and that he was concerned about the proposed cuts within the latest budget.

He explained that the local centres provided regular sessions for 14 – 18 year olds to learn new skills and where necessary catch up on life skills.

He said the Council currently provides safeguarding and child protection advice to leaders and volunteers involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards. He added that they also offer general support and advice to volunteers. He was feared that without this support the volunteer base would reduce significantly.

He called for the Council to retain the licence that allows them to be part of the national scheme.

The Chair asked if he felt that there was a potential risk to either children or volunteer recruitment should the Council pass over the licence to another organisation.

Ian Parsons replied that if another organisation were to take up the licence he would be initially concerned that they knew enough about the rules and parameters of working with young people and that this possible lack of stability would put people off from applying to take part.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked how the possibility of funding being withdrawn had affected their current work.

Ian Parsons replied that they had not been able to start their current scheme because they could not confidently say that it would be completed.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked how much directing funding do they receive from the Council outside the cost of maintaining the licence etc.

Ian Parsons replied that they receive some money towards the running costs of the mini bus and that he believed the fee for the licence was £1,500.

Dave Bonstow addressed the Panel on the same matter. He said that they had only been informed by email of the decision for funding to be withdrawn and he asked if any of the young people involved in the scheme had been made aware of this. He said that he also questioned the figure of £30,000 as the cost to the Council’s involvement.

He felt that the children that gain the most from the scheme currently would miss out if it were to be run through schools. He wished to encourage officers within the Council to have further conversations with those involved before making a final decision.

Councillor Peter Turner said that he had some sympathy with the speakers as he himself was a mentor for the Prince’s Trust. He added that he felt that a support network was vital to the success of the scheme.

Councillor Michael Evans, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services thanked both of the speakers for their statements and said he was pleased to announce that he had obtained funding for the Open Centres in Keynsham & Bath to continue their provision with the current level of LA support. This will be on a one-off basis for the remainder of the 2016 financial year, and within the People & Communities Budget for subsequent years, subject to a review of take-up.

The Chair said that she was pleased to hear of this decision and thanked the Cabinet Member.

Councillor Matt Cochrane asked that the reduced figures for this year be taken into account in any future review.

Dave Bonstow thanked Councillor Evans for his decision as he did not believe that as many people would take part if it had been run by ‘uniform groups’ such as the Scouts. He added that he hoped that consultation in the future could prevent a similar situation.