Decision details

Town Centre Youth Centre

Decision Maker: Executive

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

To approve the creation of a town centre youth centre on Braccan Walk.

Decision:

 

i.      the status of the project to create a town centre youth facility on Braccan Walk

and next steps is noted.

 

ii.     a financial plan to fund the additional revenue costs of running the new

Centre be developed as part of the 2021/22 budget.

 

iii.    a working group be set up to involve young people in the design of the centre at an appropriate stage.

Reasons for the decision:

1.    Creation of a town centre youth facility has been a long-standing objective for the Council.

 

2.    A town centre youth facility will provide a place for young people to go, where they can socialise and receive advice and guidance from youth workers and other professionals whose remit is to provide early help to young people. This is particularly important for the most vulnerable young people in the Borough who may be at a greater risk of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE), gang initiation and Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE), including 'County Lines' when gangs and organised crime networks exploit children to sell drugs.

 

3.    The new town centre is now drawing people of all ages and walks of life and has proved to be attractive to young people. However, there is currently no specific provision for young people and, without such provision, young people congregate in the town centre on an ad-hoc basis making the targeting and co-ordination of early help more difficult.

 

4.    A site has been identified on Braccan Walk which, following consultation and a feasibility study, has the potential to deliver such a facility in close proximity to the town centre.

Alternative options considered:

1.    The nearest existing youth facility is at Coopers Hill. Through the consultation, which is detailed in section 7 of the Executive Director: People’s report (and appended), young people expressed a preference for a facility which is located within the town centre.

 

2.    The previous commitment by the Council to create a town centre youth facility has been actively pursued and the Braccan Walk proposal is presented as the most favourable option following evaluation of a number of other options that have been previously considered. These have included:

·         Development of the Coopers Hill site

·          Accommodation in Princess Square

·          Co-location with the library

·         Accommodation at 14 Market Street

·         Accommodation at the former 3M building

 

3.    On evaluation none of these options have proved to be viable in terms.

Wards Affected: Wildridings & Central;

Financial Impact: A new project on the Council’s capital programme

Declarations: None

Subject to Urgent Proceedings: No

Making Representations: In writing to the Executive Director: People

Other reasons / organisations consulted

Questionnaires and obtaining feedback at presentations on proposals

Consultees

Young people in Bracknell Forest

Contact: Chris Taylor, Head of Education Capital and Property Email: chris.taylor@bracknell-forest.gov.uk Tel: 01344 354062.

Report author: Chris Taylor

Publication date: 23/07/2019

Date of decision: 23/07/2019

Decided at meeting: 23/07/2019 - Executive

Effective from: 31/07/2019

Accompanying Documents:

 

Contact Information

Democratic services

Email: committee@bracknell-forest.gov.uk