Issue - meetings

This report presents the Brent Youth Justice Plan 2023/24, which includes an overview of local youth justice progress, priorities and arrangements for monitoring performance.  Following its submission to the Youth Justice Board and consideration by Cabinet on 11 September 2023 Council is being asked to formally adopt the Plan.

Council RESOLVED following its referral by Cabinet on 11 September 2023 to approve formal sign off and adoption of the Brent Youth Justice Plan 2023/24.

Eligible for Call-In: No

The Mayor invited Councillor Grahl, as Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools, to introduce a report from the Corporate Director of Children & Young People presenting the Brent Youth Justice Plan 2023/24.  In introducing the report members were advised that the Youth Justice Plan included an overview of local youth justice progress and priorities along with the arrangements for monitoring performance, with the Plan (in accordance with statutory requirements) having been submitted to the Youth Justice Board for review and approval prior to its formal consideration by Cabinet in advance of its recommended adoption by Full Council.

In recognising the commitment and achievements of the Youth Justice Service and the wider partnership work being undertaken to support children and young people who were at risk of or had entered the youth justice system, attention was also drawn to the overall performance achieved by the service particularly in respect of the reduction in number of young people entering the criminal justice system for the first time and low numbers of young people in custody.  The strong performance identified was attributed to the Council’s focus on prevention and engagement with children and young people, with the positive feedback provided through young people and their parents and carers also highlighted and thanked expressed to all those working within the Youth Justice Service for their efforts, diligence and innovation in supporting young people.

As no other members had indicated they wished to speak and Councillor Grahl had confirmed she did not need to exercise her right of reply the Mayor then put the recommendations in the report to the vote and they were declared CARRIED.

Council therefore RESOLVED following its referral by Cabinet on 11 September 2023 to approve formal sign off and adoption of the Brent Youth Justice Plan 2023-24.