Issue - meetings

The Trust received a report that provided an overview of progress in preparing the new CYPP which was due to be published in September.

It was noted that CYPP would consist of a Strategic Plan that would provide a long term strategic focus over a ten year period and a rolling three year Implementation Plan. The Trust would play a key role in determining how the funding available to the respective partner agencies was allocated and this would be expressed in a plan for the integration and alignment of budgets.

The Trust was advised that, line with DCSF guidance, a working group consisting of representatives of agencies across the Partnership, was looking at options for pooling and aligning existing budgets.   

It was noted that each respective agency would need to ensure that it had mechanisms in place to take forward decision made by the Trust with respect to the CYPP.

Concern was raised that there was insufficient reference to Child Poverty and how this would be addressed; given the current economic climate there was agreement that the approach to this issue should be set out in more detail and that addressing Child Poverty should be included within the ten year priorities listed within the document.

There was agreement that the CYPP should better reflect the overall context of what was happening around Children’s Services and that reference should be made to the JAR Action Plan and the findings of the Serious Case Review. This would illustrate more clearly the role that CYPP would play in achieving the overall aspirations.

Concern was raised that the focus on educational attainment should not be lost as this formed an important route out of poverty for many young people and there was agreement that this should be emphasised in the document.

In response to concerns that there issues relating to Drug and Alcohol abuse, domestic violence and had not been addressed within the document, it was noted that these issues had been picked up and would be reflected in the final document.

There was agreement that the CT EPMG should consider the financial aspects of the CYPP before document was finalised and approved by the Chair.  

RESOLVED:

1. That the Children and Young People’s Plan 2009-2020 be noted.

2. That Implementation Plan 2009-2012 be noted.

3. That approval of the final draft plans making up the Children and Young People’s Plan be delegated to the Chair of the Children’s Trust.
4. That the Children’s Trust should receive the final version of the CYPP for formal adoption.