Agenda item

            The Committee was reminded that the Council, at its meeting on 1st February, had passed the following motion on Youth Services, which had been proposed by Councillor McCusker and seconded by Councillor Attwood:

"This Council notes with deep concern the proposed cuts in youth services in Belfast, which could see the loss of 131 posts in youth organisations.

The Council recognises the important and vital contribution of our youth services to Belfast and believes that these cuts will have a major negative impact on local communities.

The Council opposes these cuts in youth services and agrees to seek an urgent cross-party meeting with the Education Authority and the Minster of Education or senior Department of Education officials to raise our concerns and calls for the funding to be reinstated."

            The Democratic Services Manager reported that responses had now been received from the Private Secretary to Mr. Peter Weir, Minister of Education, and Mr. G. Boyd, Chief Executive of the Education Authority.

            The Private Secretary, within her response, had confirmed that the Minister had made it clear that, in terms of those organisations delivering extended, outreach and detached initiatives, no funding had been withdrawn, no decision had been taken to withdraw funding and there were no proposals to withdraw funding.  It was pointed out that the Minister appreciated the uncertainty surrounding short-term funding streams which were additional to the core youth budget and the impact which that could have on workers across the sector.  Whilst the overall budget available for youth services had not yet been agreed, the Minister had requested officials to ensure that, within the funding available, a longer term approach be adopted to prioritise access to and longer opening times for centres operating in areas of disadvantage or near interface areas.  The response concluded by confirming that, due to the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections, Mr. Weir’s role of Minister of Education would cease on 2nd March and that, due to his diary commitments, it would not be possible to schedule a meeting to discuss youth provision.

            Mr. Boyd, within his response, had confirmed that the Education Authority had not proposed any cuts to youth services in 2016/2017 and was not planning any reduction for 2017/2018.  However, he pointed out that the Education Authority did not have a budget allocation for 2017/2018 and, as a result, it had to advise all staff on temporary contracts that their employment was not guaranteed beyond 31st March, 2017.  That position had been reiterated within further correspondence which confirmed also that the Education Authority believed that the work undertaken by youth workers was a vital component in the support which the youth service provided to young people, particularly the most vulnerable and marginalised.  Mr. Boyd concluded by stating that the Education Authority was continuing to work with the Department of Education to find a solution to the funding issue and that, since the Education Authority agreed with the Council’s position, as set out within the motion of the 1st February, it did not believe that there was merit in having a meeting to discuss the matter.  He did, however, confirm that he would be happy to meet with members to discuss youth provision generally in Belfast.

            After discussion, the Committee noted the responses which had been received and agreed that an All-Party Deputation meet with the Chief Executive of the Education Authority.