ITEM CH8
CHILDREN’S SERVICES SCRUTINY
COMMITTEE –
YOUTH JUSTICE PLAN – 2007/08
Background
Information
1.
The annual Youth Justice Plan is one of the
strategic plans which is subject to approval by full
Council following consideration by both the Cabinet and relevant Scrutiny
Committee in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules
set out in the Constitution.
2.
Normally, each Youth Offending Service is
required by statute to produce an annual Youth Justice Plan for approval by the
constituent agencies that are responsible for the service. This has then to be
submitted to the Youth Justice Board. Core funding from the Board is dependent on the submission of a report that
meets its extensive guidance. Following
the Council’s successful rating as a four-star authority, this requirement has
been waived. However, given the
strategic importance of the youth justice agenda for the Council, a Youth
Justice Plan has been drawn up and agreed by the Youth Offending Service
Steering Group and is being submitted for approval in the normal way.
3.
A copy of the Plan has been circulated to
all Councillors and is available on the County Council website at (www.oxfordshire.gov.uk) and is
available for public inspection. The
Plan will be considered by Cabinet on 17 July and by full Council on
4.
Following investment in preventative
services over the last four years, the number of new entrants to the youth
justice system has reduced by 20%, already exceeding the Local Area Agreement
target to be achieved by 2009. However,
all funding streams for preventative services for young offenders are currently
at risk from April 2008, an essential year in achieving the Local Area
Agreement target. They include
Children’s Fund, Positive Activities for Young People and the Youth Justice
Board Prevention budget. The Council
will be asked to note this position.
5.
On
Background
Papers: Nil
Contact Officer: Tan Lea, Acting Head of Youth Offending Service Tel (01865) 202218
June
2007
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