Meeting documents

1. THE ISSUE

1.1 Bath and North East Somerset Youth Justice Plan 2005-6.

2. RECOMMENDATION

3. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

3.1 Responsibility for resourcing the Youth Offending Team is shared by local partner agencies as set out in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 - the Local Authority, Police, Probation and Health. Direct funding is also received from the Youth Justice Board, the Community Safety and Drugs Partnership and the Children's Fund Board. The Local Authority contributes £228,470 towards staffing and running costs and also provides significant support and other services on an in-kind basis.

3.2 The Youth Offending Team Service Manager has delegated responsibility for the budget, which is managed by the multi-agency Steering Group, chaired by Maurice Lindsay, Head of Children and Families Service. In turn, this group reports twice-yearly to the Responsible Authorities Group that oversees all partnership aspects of Community Safety work. There are no direct financial implications arising from this report. The Youth Justice Plan will be delivered within existing resources.

4. THE REPORT

4.1 The Local Authority has lead responsibility, together with partner agencies, for producing an annual Youth Justice Plan. The Plan describes how statutory youth justice services, designed to prevent youth offending, are to be resourced, managed and delivered. It is to be submitted to the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales on 30 June 2005 and will be published locally following approval.

4.2 The Plan sets out progress and outturn on thirteen key performance indicators for 2004-5, and actions in respect of fourteen key performance indicators for 2005-6. It is of note that four of these indicators now count towards the Local Authority's Annual Performance Assessment. It shows that Bath and North East Somerset is making steady performance improvements in most areas, notably in addressing parenting, accommodation and mental health issues. The proportion of young people going into custody is still high by comparison with the national target, as is the proportion of young people on Court Orders who re-offend, although the absolute numbers of young people in both categories is low. A multi-agency Steering Group meets regularly to monitor progress with implementation of the Plan and reports twice annually to the Responsible Authorities Group.

4.3 The Plan sets out four local priorities:

5. RISK MANAGEMENT

5.1 A risk assessment related to the issue and recommendations has been undertaken, in compliance with the Council's decision making risk management guidance.

6. RATIONALE

7. OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED

7.1 Submission of the Youth Justice Plan to the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales is a statutory requirement.

8. CONSULTATION

8.1 Through meetings with staff and direct input to the Plan.

8.2 With other B&NES Services and other public bodies through the Youth Offending Team Steering Group and the Responsible Authorities Group.

8.3 With Trades Unions through JCC meeting.

9. REASONS FOR URGENCY

9.1 Not urgent.