Issue - meetings

To receive an update report on the 2022 cycle of the Leader and Cabinet Members’ Young Person Grant Scheme.

The Cabinet Member: Children, Young People & Families presented the report of the Director: Children’s Safeguarding & Family Support. The scheme had been in place since 2017. In 2021, an allocation of £20,000 was made and the scheme received 132 applicants, of which 64 were successful. In 2022, the same number of applications (132) were received, however, there were 72 successful applicants.

The report summarised the communications that had taken place to reach young people for the 2022 scheme, which was effective with over 840,000 views to the scheme webpages coming from social media. 53 of the 132 applicants advised that they had been made aware of the scheme via social media.

Applications could be made in a variety of ways, which had increased the range of applicants.

The proposals for the 2023 scheme were outlined in the report.

Cabinet Members welcomed the report and noted the difference these awards made to young peoples’ lives.

In response to a question from the Conservative Group Leader, the Cabinet Member: Children, Young People & Families stated that alongside their application, applicants had to submit a written reference which was thoroughly checked. A panel meeting took place where all applications were reviewed.

RESOLVED that:

a)    The funding for the Leader and Cabinet Members’ Young Person Grant Scheme be approved;

b)   The holding of an alumni event to understand the impact on successful applicants from the past 2 years and to inform the upcoming 2023 scheme be approved;

c)    The communications plan be further developed to ensure more young people are reached, including our NEET cohort beyond the age of 16 be approved.