Purpose

The purpose of this report is to approve the next stage of design and planning towards the delivery of a Youth Zone in Peterborough, partnering with OnSide (a national charity).

Decision

Cabinet RESOLVED to:

1. Approve the submission of an application for Better Youth Spaces funding from the Department for Culture Media and Sport towards the delivery (capital) and running costs (revenue) of a Youth Zone in Peterborough.
2. Note the financial implications as set out in section 7 and Annex 3 of this report and approve £50,000 for the Council to appoint professional services towards the project, to be funded from reserves.
3. Authorise the Council entering into a grant funding agreement with OnSide Youth Zones Limited for a sum of up to £360,000 including irrecoverable VAT to be funded from reserves.
4. Delegate authority to the Executive Director for Place and Economy in consultation with the Director of Legal and Governance and the Executive Director of Corporates s151 Officer to enter into and sign any required legal or financial documentation relating to the recommendations set out in this report. 

Alternative options considered

The Council has considered a smaller Youth Zone with a lower capital and revenue ask. The cost being £9.5m to £10m capital cost and £1.3m revenue implications. However, there is an ambition not to compromise with this much needed facility. The smaller version reduced the overall size of the centre meaning less sports hall space and the loss of a dedicated boxing ring, dance studio, dedicated sensory room and open plan arts and craft within the central reception area.

The Council could seek to enter an AFL or Development Agreement with OnSide before committing the £360,000 grant. There is an increased risk that the Council would reduce the chances of a successful grant application as it offers less delivery confidence to Government if a planning permission has not been submitted or determined.

The alternative is to not proceed. This would fail to address the underlying challenges faced by young people in Peterborough, such as limited access to safe spaces, rising demand for youth services and inequalities in opportunity. 

Without intervention, issues like social isolation, mental health pressures and anti-social behaviour are likely to persist or worsen, placing further demand on other public services such as policing, social care, and education support.

The ‘do nothing’ option or reducing the size and quality of offering is likely to be less effective in delivering the Council’s corporate priorities and less likely to achieve sustained positive change for young people.