Report of the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods) attached

The Executive considered a report of the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods), which provided a summary of the evidence and research collated during consultation with the wider youth and play sector during the spring and summer and set out a revised model of delivery for the commissioning of the youth and play sector, which was currently a role undertaken by Young Manchester.

As part of the research into different approaches to youth and play commissioning, officers spoke to Heads of Youth (or equivalent) in five other Local Authorities, as well as Head of Service from across Manchester City Council, to understand what works well and what is needed.

Some respondents involved in the wider engagement had expressed concern that if any future arrangements were delayed it would create uncertainty for organisations across the City, which in turn would have a negative impact on children and young people.  It was noted that any future commissioning arrangements would need to be underpinned by a programme of workforce development and strategic leadership – both of which had been highlighted as a high priority during the Young Manchester Review and the Sector Engagement sessions.

Following the engagement that had been undertaken it was proposed that the commissioning arrangements for Manchester City Council funding for youth and Play activity was directed under a new model, with the Council’s role to administer, manage and provide continued support to all organisations involved in the delivery of the wider youth and play offer.  The proposed new arrangements would see providers within the 6 youth and play partnerships and Neighbourhoods supported directly by their Area Youth Lead to submit applications for youth and play funding.  These applications would be reviewed by a local youth advisory panel, who would make funding recommendations to the Youth Commissioning Board.

The proposed new model of delivery would build on the existing strengths and progress made over the last four years, it would reduce operational overheads and seek to remove duplication. In time it was anticipated that more funding would reach grassroot organisations who were working directly with children and young people.  The new arrangements would ensure that place-based commissioning would be embedded, which would be approved by a panel of individuals who were based and have in-depth knowledge of the area and would also provide the City Council with increased influence over the effective deployment of its own resources.

In order to ensure the next steps in the process were completed fully and robustly, it was recommended that Council extended the current commissioning arrangements in place for a one-year period as all current arrangements issued under the Youth & Play fund end on March 31 2022.  Whilst the one-year extension would be with the same organisations under the same monitoring requirements, new grant agreements would be issued and managed via the City Council Youth, Play & Participation team. The proposal was to agree and execute all grant funding arrangements for 2022/23 by end of December 2021.  As per existing agreements, all grant funding contributions would be subject to providers evidencing appropriate match funding.

Decisions

The Executive:-

(1)      Note the findings from the sector consultation and Local Authority research which have informed the future commissioning arrangements.

(2)      Agree the option presented for the future commissioning of the youth and play sector, which will enable the Council to a) fulfil its Statutory Youth Duty; b) fulfil the priorities identified in the Our Manchester Youth Strategy; c) align with the priorities and focus of the Children & Young People’s Plan.

(3)      Delegate responsibility to agree the grant payments for 2022/23 totalling £1.44M to the Deputy Chief Executive & City Treasurer and Strategic Director of Neighbourhoods, in consultation with the Executive Member for Children & Young People and the Deputy Leader.