Youth Work step welcomed

Lib Dem Borough Leader and County Councillor David Kendall has welcomed the news that Essex County Council are going to devolve the resource allocation for universal youth work in Brentwood to Brentwood Borough Council as a pilot project for six months.

The implementation will be phased in from April to September 2010. The aim of this measure is to maximise the amount of resource delivered locally on the front line in Brentwood.

Brentwood Borough Council will be responsible for:

• Developing a needs analysis to determine local provision.
• Provide line management for youth workers
• Ensure data on youth work is captured
• Deliver youth work against national performance indicators and strategies and local targets.

Cllr Kendall said:

"The decision to devolve the resource allocation for youth work to Brentwood should have happened years ago but the fact it has finally happened now has to be welcomed.

"I believe it could make a real difference to the lives of many young people in the Borough. It makes sense to move the youth workers and the budget down to the local level because it should ensure that resources are properly targeted at the areas that need support the most. There are some areas such as Pilgrims Hatch and some of the villages where I know there is a real need for the youth workers to step up their engagement and involvement with young people and in doing so help reduce instances of anti social behaviour.

"As with all new schemes the proof is in the pudding but this is definitely a step in the right direction".