Agenda item - Safer Streets Funding

Safer Streets Funding

Minutes:

The Committee noted a detailed update on progress with the pilot of a youth café in Addlestone, using funds from Safer Streets; the result of a successful cross-departmental bid to combat anti-social behaviour, working in partnership with the local Neighbourhood Police team, who were the leading body for the bid.

 

Prior to submitting the bid, site visits had taken place around the Garfield Road Estate with Police colleagues.  It was identified that improvements such as the installation of gates into stairwells, CCTV, additional lighting and the reconfiguration of gardens to remove secluded pathways would all assist.  Officers saw an opportunity to include in this project the Council’s long held ambition to provide a youth café, which was accepted by the Police team.

 

The Committee noted the financial implications of the report.  After clarification from Safer Streets, it was noted that funding of £321,970 was available for two years for the youth café, after which, if it was to continue, alternative funding would be needed as there was currently no revenue provision for it.  In addition, a sum of up to £160,000 already existed in the capital budget for fit out costs for the café.  The total funding bid was £643,940, match funded 50% by the Council from a combination of the capital sum and non financial match funding.

 

Officers advised that having secured time-limited funding they were keen to introduce those physical measures to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and find a suitable location for the pilot café.  Some of the improvements, including the installation of gates will be consulted on with residents.

 

With only two weeks to submit a bid for funding, the ability to develop a delivery model in advance of submission was limited.  However, Officers felt it was appropriate to try and secure the funding to enable the opportunity to be pursued further.

 

The Committee members were made aware of the risk that a suitable location for the café might not be found, but Officers in Assets and Regeneration were working on this as directed by the Chief Executive.  Potentially the former Eileen Tozer Centre was a possibility as a temporary venue but was not ideal due to the double financing of short and longer term venues that would be unaffordable.  Officers advised that in addition to the challenges of identifying a site, the escalation of costs for fit out works as well as potentially more significant works than the capital budget in place, could make the project unviable. 

 

Finding a suitable service delivery model was also a work in progress.  The services of specialist youth workers from a charity organisation based in Leatherhead were being used, as were a more local youth charity, Eikon to explore this further.  Officers advised that the pilot, if it happened, would determine need and viability.  The location and cost was a key consideration.

 

Given the potential risk of the Youth Café model not being possible, Officers were also working with the Police, Police and Crime Commissioners Office and the Home Office to agree alternative service provision that engaged with young people in the community identified, but which was not dependent on a physical building.  With a very tight window to spend the grant, this might be the most viable option within the timescale if a building was not immediately identified.

 

The Committee was anxious that the café did materialise, as an important part of delivering the health and wellbeing strategy and providing diversionary activity and support for local young people.  Officers would report on progress to a future meeting of the Committee.

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