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MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

CABINET MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES

REPORT OF  ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF RESOURCES AND PARTNERSHIPS

Report prepared by  Ian Park 

Date Issued:    29 October 2009

REVISED CONSTITUTION FOR  MAIDSTONE YOUTH FORUM

1.1        Issue for Decision

         The Cabinet Member is asked to consider the revised constitution of the Maidstone Youth Forum

1.2        Recommendation of  The Assistant Director of Resources and Partnerships

1.2.1    That the revised Youth Forum constitution be approved. ( Appendix A)

1.3        Reasons for Recommendation

A review of the Youth Forum was undertaken by Internal Audit in May 2009.  The ensuing report noted that the provision of the Youth Forum has never been formally approved by the council.

A revised constitution for the Youth Forum which outlines the council’s roles and responsibilities in respect of the Forum has been drawn up by officers in consultation with the members of the Youth Forum and agreed by its Advisory Committee.

1.4        Alternative Action and Why Not Recommended

An alternative constitution could be developed. However, given the consultation which has taken place to produce this revised constitution, this is not recommended.

A scoping exercise of all the council’s current work on youth engagement, including that of the youth forum, was approved by the Cabinet on 12 August 2009 as part of its response to the Government’s Communities in Control White Paper, with a view to improving coordination and efficiency in respect of its approach to youth engagement. It is intended to complete this work by December 2009; alternative courses of action will be considered as part of the exercise and in the context of the overall budget for 2010-2011.

1.5        Impact on Corporate Objectives

Like many other councils, Maidstone Borough Council runs and financially supports a youth forum.  The Youth Forum is consistent with the council’s aims as outlined in the Strategic Plan ( 2009-2012) to use the views of children and young people to help shape services, to increase the number of young people involved in positive activities, to encourage greater citizen involvement and to encourage greater community involvement.  

1.6        Risk Management

The review of the Youth Forum in May 2009 conducted by Internal Audit identified the lack of an approved constitution for the Youth Forum as a risk to the council. Approval of the revised constitution removes that risk.

1.7        Other Implications [Insert an ‘X’ in the boxes below to indicate if the recommendations will have any implications in the specified area]

1.7.1    

  Equality Impact Needs Assessment

         An Equality Impact Needs Assessment of the constitution has been undertaken. Key actions required include ensuring that the forum is more representative of the diverse population of young people within the Borough.

1.8 Background Documents

None