Issue - meetings

This report provides a summary of the approach to establishing a programme of capital investment in youth facilities across the borough, in partnership with youth sector providers.The report recommends approval of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (SCIL) funding for a number of projects that were shortlisted by a youth panel and designed to offer enhanced youth facilities across the borough and are in, or serve, the boroughs growth areas and areas of deprivation.

Cabinet RESOLVED:

(1)       To approve the youth facilities capital investment programme as set out within the report.

(2)       To approve the projects for the organisations detailed within paragraph 3.2.8 of the report and use of £4m of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy to fund the programme as detailed in Table 2, paragraph 5.1. of the report.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 20 October 25

Councillor Grahl (as Cabinet Member for Children, Young People & Schools) introduced a report from the Corporate Director, Children, Young People & Community Development detailing proposals to establish a programme of capital investment in youth facilities across the borough, in partnership with youth sector providers, for which approval to the use of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (SCIL) funding was being sought.

In introducing the report, Councillor Grahl began by outlining the way in which the proposed investment of £4m in SCIL funding would represent the largest single Council investment in youth provision and infrastructure for a generation, recognising the extraordinary work being undertaken by youth organisations across Brent to keep young people safe, inspired and connected whilst also providing them with the facilities they deserved.  Highlighting the specific impact of austerity on the provision of youth services nationally, with 1200 youth centres closed between 2010-2023 and 4,500 youth workers losing their jobs, it was acknowledged that the investment was much needed and timely in seeking to address the previous period of neglect.

Moving on to focus on the support the investment would provide for local youth organisations, members were advised of the way in which the proposals had been shaped by young people themselves who had chosen where the investment should be allocated based on the evidence and priorities identified and with the selection therefore felt to reflect what young people valued most in terms of opportunity, belonging and purpose.  The opportunity was also taken, in support of the approach outlined, to highlight that each of the organisations selected were already well know with an established record of delivery across the borough and the projects, ranging from boxing and sports to education and creative arts, already providing significant impacts for young people and serving as hubs for energy and mentorship in seeking to further unlock potential.

In ending her introduction, Councillor Grahl took the opportunity to thank all those involved in the process as well as everyone supporting the youth sector for their efforts and contribution, with the proposals also highlighted as reflecting priorities identified by local residents in seeking support youth facilities and development of a thriving youth sector.

In welcoming and supporting the investment outlined, members were keen to recognise not only the way in which the programme had been designed to address the challenges as a result the reduction in funding available for youth services due to austerity but also demonstrated the advantages of placed based policy making and co-design with the engagement of young people key to development of the proposals.

The approach adopted was also identified as reflecting the positive benefits which the impact of the schemes included would have on young people across each of the specific local areas covered with reference, as examples, to the inclusion of Cricklewood Boxing Club, Jason Roberts Foundation in Stonebridge as well as the Roundwood and Anchor Youth Hub as empowerment in action and areas where the proposals were likely to make the most difference to young people and communities  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9