Issue - meetings

          The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Children and Enterprise, on the proposed restructure and tender for Youth Provision within the Borough.

          The Board was advised that since April 2012, Halton’s youth provision had been delivered through two separate contracts, both of which would end on 31 March 2015. It was reported that the current strategy of delivering youth provision in targeted hotspot areas for risk taking behaviour would be maintained.

 However, the Board noted that, in order to provide a more flexible and efficient service, it was proposed to combine both the universal and the early intervention and targeted outreach work into a single contract. A service specification would be developed for a single tender, which would involve young people and encourage a collaborative approach by potential providers.

Reason(s) for Decision

To agree to combining the current youth service provision and to go out to tender for services from April 2015.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Maintaining the current provision was considered; however, the need for a more flexible service and the opportunity for efficiencies had necessitated the change.

Implementation Date

The new service would need to be fully operational by April 2015.

RESOLVED: That

1)    combining the universal and targeted provision for young people into one contract be approved; and

2)    approval of the specification for the contract for youth provision be delegated to the Strategic Director, Children and Enterprise in consultation with the Portfolio holder for Children, Young People and Families.