Agenda item

To consider any deputation requests.

This item had not been circulated five clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept the item as urgent because the requests were received in line with the constitutional deadline for the receipt of deputation requests.

Aylesbury Leaseholders Action Group

The deputation spoke in respect of their written representation set out in paragraph 4 and Appendix 1 of the report. Councillor Mark Williams confirmed that he would respond in writing to the deputation in respect of all the points raised in this representation and would meet with the deputation following receipt of this response, if required.

Friends of Damilola Taylor Centre

The deputation made representations in relation to the concerns of the youth organisations in Peckham in respect to proposals of the council to cut the youth service budget by 75% and in particular the proposal to move the Damilola Taylor Centre from the youth service across to the environment and leisure department. The deputation spokesperson provided evidence of how the centre had provided a positive and enabling impact on her life and the many opportunities arising. The centre submitted a constructive counter-proposal to cabinet to ensure the long term sustainability of the centre.

Southwark Youth Council

Southwark Youth Council deputation expressed their shock at the proposed level of cuts to the youth service and the loss of full time and part time workers. It was felt that the council were making a “huge mistake” with these proposals. The youth service provides a valuable learning tool for young people in their transition to adulthood, also creating many happy memories and positive experiences. It was felt that such a drastic cut, while solving some of the financial shortfall, would have a negative impact on youth crime and gang related activity. The youth council reminded cabinet that they represent the voice of young people, having been elected by 6,000 young people within the borough.  The youth council asked that the council reconsider the proposed cuts.

Rotherhithe and Bermondsey Youth Community Council Members/Odessa Youth Club Members

The deputation made representations to the meeting on the impact of the youth service cuts to young people and how this would affect the community, referring to the London riots and disorder/crime. The current service provides vital life skills for young people helping with the transition to education and employment. The deputation referred to the many key people who have benefitted from the current youth service provision and its direct contribution to their success.

Further, reference was made to the training and development opportunities that the youth service promotes and supports (for example, the Duke of Edinburgh award). The deputation spoke about the long term benefits for young people in having a safe place to go and having support from a professional youth worker that they can trust and develop a positive relationship with.

SGTO Youth Forum

The forum highlighted the impact youth service cuts would have upon the youth in Southwark and addressed cabinet on the views of young people concerning council services, circulating a written submission. The forum expressed concern about the council plan and the low priority that they felt was given to young people. It was felt that the cuts to the youth service would result in the loss of professional expertise currently given. The deputation also emphasised that young people make up a third of the population in Southwark. 

Arising from the deputation and discussions, it was agreed that the structure of tenants and residents associations could be looked at with a view to gaining more user involvement, with the possibility of a ‘youth division’ being explored.

Southwark Trades Union Council

The deputation thanked Mint Street playground for attending the meeting, explaining that this group face the loss of full time workers.  The deputation spoke of their concern over the youth service cuts and the loss of full time jobs within the service, feeling that they were not clear what the youth offer would be following these proposed cuts. Safeguarding was an issue of particular concern expressed by the deputation and it was felt that transferring the service would undermine this protection for young people. Additionally reference was made to the low cost summer and Easter programmes provided by the youth service that assist families on lower incomes; the absence of which would significantly impact these low income families. The deputation called on the council to use some of its reserves to prevent the cuts being proposed to the youth service in order to protect vulnerable young people.