The Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee of Islington Council is scheduled to consider witness evidence from ZCD Architects as part of a scrutiny review. The committee will also receive an update on the Family First Programme and an Executive Member Report.

Scrutiny Review - Witness Evidence from ZCD Architects

The committee is scheduled to receive witness evidence from ZCD Architects as part of an ongoing scrutiny review. The report pack indicates that this discussion will build upon previous evidence sessions, including those with Make Space for Girls and council officers. The previous meeting's minutes show that Make Space for Girls highlighted the importance of inclusive spaces for teenage girls, noting that they sometimes feel intimidated in areas like skateparks and multi-use games areas (MUGAs) when groups of boys are present. They also suggested that low-cost measures such as sociable seating near communal areas in parks had been trialled. The evidence from council officers in the previous meeting acknowledged that play assessments were not as extensive as they could have been and that there was a need to balance encouraging play with the needs of local residents. The report pack for this meeting indicates that ZCD Architects will be providing their witness evidence, which will likely cover their perspectives on the design and provision of spaces for young people.

Executive Member Report

An Executive Member Report is scheduled for discussion. While the specific content is not detailed in the provided documents, such reports typically provide an overview of the Executive's activities and priorities relevant to the committee's remit.

Family First Programme Update

The committee is also scheduled to receive an update on the Family First Programme. This programme is likely to focus on initiatives aimed at supporting families within the borough. The previous meeting's minutes touched upon the importance of family support workers in addressing cases of severe absence from school, suggesting a potential link between the Family First Programme and broader child welfare initiatives.

The meeting will also include formal matters such as apologies for absence, declarations of substitute members, declarations of interest, and the confirmation of minutes from the previous meeting. A Chair's Report and a session for Public Questions are also on the agenda. The committee will also consider any urgent matters and whether to exclude the press and public from any part of the meeting due to the potential disclosure of exempt or confidential information.