Issue - meetings

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People is attached.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People presented the Youth Justice Business Plan for 2025–2026, highlighting that the requirement for an annual plan is set out in Section 40 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, which places a statutory duty on local authorities to produce and implement a Youth Justice Plan in consultation with key partners. The Business Plan has been approved by the Youth Justice Partnership Management Board and the Youth Justice Board, and must be formally approved by Full Council under Regulation 4 of the Local Authorities (Functions and Responsibilities) (England) Regulations 2000.

Cabinet noted the context of Bury and Rochdale’s joint Youth Justice Service, which was amalgamated in 2014 and is overseen by a shared partnership board. The plan sets out the service’s vision, priorities, governance arrangements, performance, risks and operational developments for the coming year. Key issues for Cabinet to note include the need for a dedicated Bury town centre base, higher numbers of children in care and those with SEND/EHCPs in the Bury cohort, and continuing concerns about disproportionality among some ethnic groups.

Performance information within the plan highlights positive trends in first?time entrants, which have reduced from 113 to 102, and reoffending and custody rates which remain below regional and Greater Manchester averages. However, the plan also identifies emerging challenges relating to serious youth violence, rising complexity of children’s needs, differential access to specialist resources between Bury and Rochdale, and inconsistent attendance at the Partnership Board. Sub?groups focusing on Prevention and Diversion, Education, Training and Employment, and Serious Violence have been established to strengthen governance and oversight.

The Plan sets out six priority areas for 2025/26, aligned with inspection expectations:

• Governance & Leadership
• Prevention and Diversion
• Remand, Custody and Resettlement
• Victims and Restorative Justice
• Serious Violence and Harmful Sexual Behaviour
• Quality Assurance and Workforce Development

Cabinet was informed that the Youth Justice Plan also links strongly with Bury’s corporate priorities, including early intervention, improving life chances, reducing offending, and strengthening neighbourhood-level delivery. A comprehensive Equality Impact Analysis accompanies the plan and identifies mitigations to support inclusive delivery.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.    Noted the report as expected statutorily to make Cabinet aware of the priorities, performance, issues and risks for the Youth Justice Services

2.    Approved the Youth Justice Business Plan 2025–2026 for submission to Full Council, in line with statutory requirements.

Reason for the Decision:

To comply with the statutory duty under Section 40 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and ensure Cabinet is aware of the service’s priorities, performance, risks and resource implications for the year ahead.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

Not applicable.