Questions Submitted Under Council Procedure Rule 10
By Councillor Mrs Temperton to Councillor Dr Barnard, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Learning
Five years ago, a consultation with the young people of Bracknell Forest resulted in a promise to provide for them a State of the Art provision in the centre of Bracknell. Coopers Hill was discussed as the location at one time.
What has happened to these plans and when will the promise be fulfilled?
Minutes:
Councillor Mrs Temperton asked Councillor Dr Barnard, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Learning the following published question:
Five years ago, a consultation with the young people of Bracknell Forest resulted in a promise to provide for them a State of the Art provision in the centre of Bracknell. Coopers Hill was discussed as the location at one time.
What has happened to these plans and when will the promise be fulfilled?
In response Councillor Dr Barnard stated that the Council was committed to delivering a modern, viable youth provision in a central location which would offer a range of opportunities. The original consultation had investigated the options viable at the Copper’s Hill site as it has a covenant in place for youth services. He stated that ultimately the negotiations did not get to a position where something could be delivered which was also sustainable.
He advised that the ‘My Space’ projects put in place elsewhere in the country had failed to thrive as they weren’t sustainable. He considered it was key to develop in locations where young people would come therefore they were looking at opportunities in the new Town Centre. Whatever was developed needed to adaptable, accessible, flexible and complement what was offer in the new Town centre. He added that Cooper’s Hill was now in the wrong direction as it took young people out of the new Town Centre. Looking forward he hoped to be able to provide an update to Members soon.
Councillor Mrs Temperton asked a supplementary question about delivery timescales as she considered this needed to be delivered in 2019/2020 because Bracknell’s young people had been waiting a long time. In response Councillor Dr Barnard agreed that they had been waiting too long but wanted to get the provision and location right. He added he was excited and optimistic now that the Twon Centre was developed that this could progress. He reiterated that the Council had a good track record for delivering the infrastructure required and were committed to youth provision for example supporting Children’s Centres. He stated that the Council would provide this and would do it right.