Issue - meetings

The Crime and Disorder Act 1998, requires Local Authorities to have a Youth Justice Plan, which is updated annually to set out how Youth Justice will be delivered locally within available resources.

The Youth Justice Plan is a strategic plan and forms part of the Policy Framework for Medway Council (Chapter 2, Article 4.1 of the Constitution). The approval or adoption of the Policy Framework is a function of Full Council.

The format of the plan follows guidance and headings provided by the national Youth Justice Board in April 2021, detailing best practice in the Youth Justice Plans completion.

Background:

This report set out the Youth Justice Plan 2022 2024. The report stated that the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, required Local Authorities to have a Youth Justice Plan, which would be updated annually to set out how youth justice would be delivered locally within available resources. The Plan followed guidance and headings provided by the national Youth Justice Board in April 2021, detailing best practice in the Youth Justice Plan’s completion.

The report explained that the Youth Justice Plan was a strategic plan that formed part of the Policy Framework for Medway Council and approval of which was therefore a matter for Full Council

The report had been considered by the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 3 March 2022 and by the Cabinet on 5 April 2022. The comments, recommendations and decisions of the Committee and Cabinet were set out in sections 6 and 7 of report respectively.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken in relation to the Plan, details of which were set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

The Portfolio Holder for Education and Schools, Councillor Potter, supported by the Portfolio Holder for Resources, Councillor Gulvin, proposed the recommendations set out in the report.

Decision:

a)    The Council noted the comments from the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee, as set out at section 6 of the report and the decision of the Cabinet, as set out at section 7 of the report.

b)    The Council approved the Medway Youth Justice Partnership Strategic Plan 2022 – 2024 attached at Appendix 1 to the report, including its priorities and themes and details of its consultation process (attached at Appendices 1 and 2 to the Strategic Plan).

Background:

This report provided details of a revised Youth Justice Plan, which would set out how youth justice would be delivered locally within available resources.

The report stated that the Plan was completely new and that the format of the Plan followed guidance and headings provided by the national Youth Justice Board.

The report had been considered by the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 3 March 2022 and its comments were set out in section 6 of the report.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken on the Strategy, details of which were set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

Reasons:

The Crime and Disorder Act 1998, requires Local Authorities to have a Youth Justice Plan, which is updated annually to set out how youth justice will be delivered locally within available resources.