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COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE
10 JUNE 1996
A meeting of the Community Services Committee
was held on Monday 10 June 1996 at 4.00 pm
PRESENT: Councillor Garry Moore (Chairperson),
The Mayor,
Councillors Graham Condon, Anna Crighton,
Ishwar Ganda, Lesley Keast and Gail Sheriff.
IN ATTENDANCE: Councillor Oscar Alpers (from 4.45 pm),
Philip Maw and Renée Holbrook (Christchurch
Youth Council representatives).
APOLOGIES: Apologies were received and accepted from
Councillors Carole Anderton, David Cox,
Pat Harrow and Barbara Stewart. The Mayor arrived at 4.10 pm, retired at
5.40 pm and was absent for clauses 4, 7 and 8
and part of 9.4. Councillor Oscar Alpers arrived at 4.45 pm and
was absent for clauses 5, 9.1, 9.2 and part
of clause 1. The Committee reports that: PART A - MATTERS REQUIRING A COUNCIL DECISION
1. 4YP YOUTH ENTERTAINMENT PROJECT RR 3001
Officer responsible Author Leisure and Community Services Julie Macdonald Manager Corporate Plan Output: Info and Advice to Council 8.4 Text 11
The purpose of this report is to provide information to the Community Services Committee about the 4YP Youth Entertainment Project.
1. INTRODUCTION A report on the progress of the 4YP youth entertainment project was presented to the Community Service Committee at its May meeting. It was requested that the 4YP monitoring group meet with interested Community Services Committee members to explore the possibilities for expanding 4YP. This present report reflects the discussion at that meeting and also presents other relevant material concerning the viability of expanding the project. Some of the material from the May report is repeated to provide background information to the issues discussed.
1 Cont'd 2. BACKGROUND 4YP was developed in response to Christchurch research revealing a lack of safe and affordable entertainment for young people, particularly those aged 15-18 years (Christchurch Youth: Issues and Needs, 1992). This age group are restricted in their access to entertainment by the lack of appropriate entertainment, the cost of existing entertainment, their access to transport and the tendency for live bands to play at age restricted venues. Young people in this age group are also not usually targeted by entertainment providers as they are a notoriously `fickle' target group and (legally) are unable contribute to event costs through the purchase of alcohol. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF 4YP Early last year Chris Martin was contracted to run 4YP (For Young People), a youth entertainment project aiming to provide safe and affordable entertainment for 15-18 year olds in Christchurch. In 1995 4YP ran regular events attended by an average of nearly 400 young people. The events ranged from large dance parties and live band concerts to smaller community based activities. Salary funding in 1995 was provided by Trust Bank Canterbury Community Trust and events funding was contributed by the Christchurch City Council ($10 000), the Christchurch Youth Council ($10 000) and entry fees. 4. 4YP IN 1996 This year 4YP has once more been substantially supported by Trust Bank Canterbury Community Trust and the Christchurch City Council. There is also an ongoing working relationship with the Christchurch Youth Council. The key tasks for Chris Martin and Sound Entertainment in 1996 (as agreed by Sound Entertainment and the monitoring group) are: * To hold four major youth entertainment events in Christchurch between March 1996 and February 1997,
* To provide advisory support to community groups attempting to run youth entertainment projects,
* To assist Community Activities Officers in the provision of youth entertainment activities,
* To initiate other youth entertainment events as appropriate,
* To investigate the possibility of setting up and running a youth entertainment venue. The focus on large events is to maximise the effectiveness of the funding available and to ensure that the events will be appealing and well supported by the target audience. The tentative nature of the last key task reflects the recognition that further funding would need to be sought before such a venue could be set up or operated by 4YP.
1 Cont'd 5. MONITORING AND EVALUATION All aspects of the 4YP project are monitored by a group co-ordinated through the Leisure and Community Services Unit. This group comprises a Community Activities Officer, the Community Adviser - Youth, the Senior Recreation Adviser and two youth workers. Members of the Youth Council are also available to be called upon as advisers. The following measures are used to evaluate the success of the project: * Attendance at events,
* Informal survey of young people at events,
* Survey of target group in general,
* Monitoring of the profile of 4YP with the target group and with other relevant groups (eg. Police, schools),
* Operation of 4YP within the budget specified by the monitoring group. 6. PROGRESS The first major event (All Night Party) was held in March and was very successful. The second event is DJ Dare which will run from 14- 30 June. This event will give young people the opportunity to DJ with professional equipment in front of an audience of their peers. Four semi-finals are being held around the city and the final will be held at `The Edge' (a night club on Hereford Street). The monitoring group meets regularly to assist with event planning, taking into account the relevant research findings in this area. The Youth Council has been consulted about events and members have contributed to the project by helping to publicise 4YP in schools. Chris Martin has had some involvement in community projects so far this year and has involved Community Activities Officers in planning the DJ Dare. 7. YOUTH VENUE Research and experience in this area indicate that young people are interested in `dry' teenage nightclubs and other youth venues (see Appendix One for a research summary). In general: * Young people tend to want to mix with others involved in similar activities (that is, young people attending school are unlikely to mix with a slightly older age group),
* Young people want entertainment that is specifically for them,
* Young people are interested in having a place to `hang out' and be entertained as well as one-off events,
* Youth venues tend to remain popular for only a limited time.
1 Cont'd * It is important that youth venues open for specific events rather than for general drop-in purposes to avoid `capture' of the venue by a particular group.
* There have been a number of youth entertainment venues operated in Christchurch and around New Zealand with varying success. Several have closed because attendance declined when the novelty of the venue wore off or because they were unable to be sustained by volunteer workers. At the meeting on Wednesday 29 May attended by the 4YP monitoring group and Councillors Moore, Keast and Stewart the issues surrounding the provision of youth entertainment were discussed. The purpose and content of the 1996 4YP programme was described and the following conclusions were reached: * 4YP is currently running a full programme of events taking into account youth needs in Christchurch. If expansion is to be considered 4YP will need to involve more than one paid worker. * There needs to be a thorough examination of the youth entertainment provided in Christchurch to enable an informed decision to be made about the viability of a venue being established. This should also take into account the experiences of youth entertainment venues in other New Zealand cities and overseas (if possible). Such an investigation fits into the existing key tasks for 4YP in 1996. * Consideration needs to be given to the kind of youth venue young people would attend and the kind of youth venue the Council would like to encourage. For example, is it necessarily positive to encourage young people to participate in `night club culture' at a young age? 8. CONCLUSION 4YP is currently operating a full and successful programme of youth entertainment events. Expansion of this programme would have significant resource implications. 4YP is currently undertaking an analysis of available research on youth needs and the youth entertainment scene in general with a view to proposing such an expansion to Council if this is considered appropriate. This analysis will take into account the information available about previous youth entertainment ventures and the possibilities for incorporating such a venture into the 4YP project. Recommendation: That a report be prepared by staff, in conjunction with Mr Chris Martin of 4YP, on the additional funding required to expand the youth entertainment activities in Christchurch and be reported to the Budget Review Subcommittee of the Strategy and Resources Committee.
2. SECURITY AT ELDERLY PERSONS' HOUSING UNITS RR 3029
Officer responsible Author Property Manager Errol Waller Corporate Plan Output: 8.7.iThe overall objective for the Council's housing portfolio is: "To provide personal welfare and contribute to the community's social well-being by ensuring safe, accessible and affordable housing is available to elderly persons, the handicapped and people on low incomes." The purpose of this report is to provide information as requested at the May meetings of the Community Services Committee and the Council as it relates to security. BACKGROUND The Housing Section of the Property Unit administers approximately 2,600 tenancies with by far the greatest (approximately 2,150) being elderly or physically or mentally infirm. Staff have always been conscious of the need to provide safe accommodation for its tenants and are continually exploring ways of achieving this. These measures relate to both the interior of the flat where planning ensures that there are no obstacles that could be dangerous, power and light points are at a convenient height, handgrips are installed in appropriate places, taps have convenient lever handles and door hardware is also appropriate. The exterior doors have security locks fitted on at least one door and the other can be bolted, opening windows on later units have restrictor stays fitted, outside lighting is provided around the common areas, walkways and car parking. Security lights are also fitted in many complexes. The recent assaults on two elderly women in Christchurch were not related to lack of security in their accommodation as one woman was assaulted outside her flat and the other after the door was opened by the tenant without first identifying the visitor. Although there are obviously further measures available to increase security within our housing complexes these will need to be identified, evaluated and costed to enable it to be established if they are financially viable. I am sure that the majority of our tenants would not want to be shut behind high security fences and security cameras such as those currently being used by the gangs. The Housing Section has been working with the Christchurch Safer Community Council which in 1991 set up a Confident Living Programme for the education of the public as it related to living safely in the community. The Housing Section was very much involved in this operation and many of the housing complexes benefited from a viewing of the programme, which in the main is on a self-awareness basis. In 1995 the Christchurch Safer Community Council found itself unable to fund the activity and Income Support took up the responsibility of running the programme in conjunction with the NZ Police. 2 Cont'd They have recently visited and provided a programme to the tenants within the complexes where the serious crimes took place and were helpful in improving the confidence of the other tenants. To enable this programme to be further developed and made available to all of the Council's tenants, it would be necessary for the Council to fund the cost of presenting the programme. This could be done on a cost recovery basis and funded from the housing account. However, if the Council was to enter into a joint venture with the NZ Police and Income Support to extend the opportunity to all its elderly citizens then funding would also need to be found from other sources. The information from the Christchurch Safer Community Council is tabled with this report.
Recommendation: 1. That the Council enter into negotiations to purchase the Confident Living Programme for tenants at its elderly persons' housing to be funded from the housing account. 2. That the Council give consideration to forming a joint venture with the NZ Police and Income Support to extend the programme into the wider community. 3. That terms of reference be brought to the July meeting of the Community Services Committee on security at elderly persons' housing complexes.
3. YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SERVICES - RR 3030
JOBSKILLS WAGE SUBSIDY PROGRAMME
Officer responsible Author Employment Services Manager Jan Francis Corporate Plan Output: 7.6 Text 4
The purpose of this report is to inform Councillors on the present status of the Jobskills wage subsidy scheme and to report on the implementation of a local work scheme as agreed at the May meeting of the Council. In December 1995, the Government ceased funding the Jobskills Private Sector Wage subsidy Scheme, allowing a wind down period until 31 March 1996. At the end of March, 909 people had been placed on the scheme within this financial year; 70% of the allocated budget of 1,300 people. Employment Services has therefore, a surplus in the Jobskills budget of approximately $340,000. Exact figures will not be known until all positions have run their full 26 weeks.
3 Cont'd It is proposed that this surplus be used to pilot a local work scheme and to provide work in Community Groups for people aged over 20 years of age. 1. LOCAL WORK SCHEME PROPOSAL The Need
There is currently a lack of opportunities for those most in need of further individual assistance to obtain or retain employment. A feature of this proposal is the on-going support which will be provided for participants to ensure long term placements in unsubsidised employment. Priority Clients
There are currently (May 1996) 1,657 people registered with New Zealand Employment Service in the 20-24 age group who are considered priority clients by the service. A priority client is: * A long term jobseeker
* A person returning to the workforce after a long period from paid work
* A person with a disability
* A jobseeker being staircased through programmes like TOPs LSV or TFG. Community Organisations
Wai-Ora Trust has approximately 200 people on a variety of work schemes within their organisation. Of those Wai-Ora estimates that a third are difficult to place in unsubsidised work. Many of these people have progressed from voluntary work, to Community Task Force (3 days per week) and require further subsidised work within a supportive environment before undertaking work in the private sector. The cost of topping up Taskforce Green wages prevents many Community Groups from providing full-time paid work for these people. What is needed is a further step towards sustainable employment. Many other employment groups report a similar gap in the progression of their clients towards full-time work. Employment Services
Within the employment programmes run by the Employment Services Unit approximately 15% (in Taskforce Green and Community Taskforce) do not finish their projects. These people find it difficult to obtain and retain on-going employment. They would benefit from a longer period in a supportive community environment. 3 Cont'd Jobskills
With young people in positions in the private sector the numbers not finishing their projects has been 40% - 50% over the duration of the Jobskills programme. A number of these people (possibly around 20%) would have benefited from a longer period of work development before placement with the private sector. In the past two years this represents approximately 550 people who could have been better placed on a local work scheme, as outlined in this proposal. Local Work Scheme
A local work scheme for priority clients would therefore assist those most in need to gain work and skills to enter subsidised employment. The Parks Unit has advised on several projects which could be undertaken under such a scheme. The Scheme
* To provide 28 positions (through put of approximately 50 people) for priority clients. * Positions would be in Council Units, predominantly Parks. * Wai-Ora Trust to be the project managers, recruiting participants from other community organisations and New Zealand Employment Service, providing all supervision, support, payroll and personnel functions. * Ongoing placement and post-placement support would be provided by Employment Services. * Wai-Ora Trust currently provide a number of workers to work in teams on Council Parks and Reserves projects and are therefore familiar with the Council requirements. * Preliminary discussions with New Zealand Employment Service suggest the negotiation of a higher subsidy to reduce costs to the Council or increase numbers is a possibility. Beginning on a small scale as a pilot would give the City Council and Community Groups an opportunity to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of such a scheme. 2. PLACEMENTS IN NOT-FOR PROFIT SECTOR In addition to the Local Work Scheme it is proposed that a further 100 places for 20-24 year olds be allocated in the Not-for-Profit sector, in conjunction with the Adult Community Employment Programme.
3 Cont'd * These places would then be filled and monitored by the Youth Employment Service in conjunction with the Projects team at New Zealand Employment Service. * Projects would be approved by the joint committee in line with the current procedure for the Adult Community Employment programme. 3. COSTS 1. Local Work Scheme
Expenses
Payroll Costs $387,296
(Based on 28 positions @ $7.60 per hour. for 52 weeks)
ACC $7,745
Supervision $55,161
Training/consumables $20,000
Administration $20,000
Vehicle running costs $10,000
Tools and Equipment $3,000
Capital (van, trailer) $20,000
TOTAL $523,202
* 28 positions should provide work for approximately 50 people. Revenue
Payroll, Subsidy $279,640
(minimum)
Supervision $15,400
Parks Unit $40,000
Local Sponsorship (capital) $35,000
TOTAL Revenue $370,040
Net Cost Employment Services $153,162
* This represents a cost of $58 per person per week to the Employment Services Unit. (b) Youth Placements in Community Groups
Expenses
Payroll Costs $691,600
(100 placements $7.60 per hour for 26 weeks)
TOTAL Expenses $691,600
Revenue
Payroll Subsidy $494,000
Total Cost (Christchurch City Council) $197,600
3 Cont'd This represents a cost of $76 per person per week to the Employment Services Unit. * NB: If the positions were made available to the Council an additional Local Grant of $9,880 would be available. Net Cost $187,720
This represents a cost of $72 per person per week to Employment Services. Recommendation: 1. That the Employment Services Budget for the Jobskills Scheme be used: (a) To pilot a local work scheme administered by Wai-Ora Trust. (b) To provide work in Community Organisations and Council Units in conjunction with New Zealand Employment Service and the Adult Community Employment Programme. 2. That the Jobskills budget surplus be carried over to the 1996/97 financial year.
4. BID FOR APEC SENIOR MINISTERS' MEETING IN 1999 RR 3065
Officer responsible Author Communications and Promotions Manager Julie Battersby Corporate Plan Output: Communications and Promotions, Vol II, page 7.5.3
The purpose of this report is seek the Council's endorsement for the Christchurch Convention Bureau's bid for an APEC Senior Officials Meeting in Christchurch in 1999. The Christchurch Convention Bureau recently received an invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to bid for an APEC Senior Officials Meeting to be held in New Zealand in 1999. Initially the Ministry invited all major convention centres in the country to bid for one Ministerial and Leaders Meeting of 5000-6000 people and four Senior Officials meetings spread quarterly throughout the year of 500-600 people per meeting. Each meeting includes a large contingent of international media. The Convention Bureau, after discussions with accommodation providers, transportation providers and the Convention Centre regarding the impact of bidding for the conferences, have decided it will bid for a Senior Officials meeting. 4 Cont'd Within the invitation to bid, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade requested information as to the hospitality support and the provision of gifts that could be expected from the city. The Convention Bureau seeks support from the City Council in the bid to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The support they seek is in the form of agreement to host a "Welcome to Christchurch" function and provide a formal city gift for each official delegate (approximately 200). Communications and Promotions Unit staff have sought support from the community for gifts and co-hosting of the "Welcome to Christchurch" function for the APEC Ministers in Charge of Trade Meeting to be held in Christchurch 14-17 July this year. Support has come from organisations associated with trade and tourism. While it is difficult to know what format the Senior Officials meetings in 1999 will take, and therefore what economic impact such a meeting will have on the local economy, it is likely that given lead in time it will be possible to go to the community to seek their support again in co-hosting hospitality in support of a meeting. Recommendation: That the Council endorse the Convention Bureau's bid for an APEC Senior Officials' meeting to be held in Christchurch in 1999 and in support, offer to host a "Welcome to Christchurch" function and provide a promotional gift for each delegate as an acknowledgment of their visit to the city. PART B - ITEMS DEALT WITH BY THE COMMITTEE AND
REPORTED FOR INFORMATION ONLY
5. DEPUTATIONS BY APPOINTMENT MR MIKE BURDEN - CIVIC AWARDS SCHEME Mr Burden spoke concern the proposal that in addition to a framed certificate a medallion be provided to the recipients of Civic Awards. He submitted this provided a more tangible form of recognition which could be worn on formal occasions and suggested a precedent existed for this in the fact that a number of other organisations such as St John's and the Scout movement also provided medals for their awards. In addition he commented on the desirability of the Council providing some form of funding to reimburse those involved in community work. It was resolved that Mr Burden's submission should be considered in conjunction with clause 8 of the agenda. 5 Cont'd MR JOHN HARRINGTON -
CANTERBURY YOUTH WORKER TRAINING FORUM Mr Harrington spoke concerning the background of the Youth Worker Forum which had been initially established under the auspices of the Internal Affairs Department but had become independent from 1993. The group worked with a large number of community organisations involved with youth and had arranged a South Island youth worker training hui in 1995. It had a representative on the Social Services Training Industry Board and acted as a lobby group for youth workers. Mr Harrington indicated that he would like the Council to approach the Forum to discuss any youth issues and they were anxious to be consulted on this topic.
6. CIVIC AWARDS RR 2996 The Committee considered a report on the outcome of the consultation with Community Boards on the suggested review of the Civic Awards process. Additional comments from Councillor Oscar Alpers, Chairperson, Spreydon/ Heathcote Community Board, on criteria which could be related to outstanding voluntary services was also considered. Councillor Alpers suggestions had principally related to use of the Council's strategic objectives as part of the Civic Awards scheme to encourage contributions towards those objectives. It was resolved that the report be referred back to staff to consider further the suggested recommendations and that an amended report be submitted to the July meeting of the Committee.
7. PREFERRED TIME FOR SEMINAR MEETINGS RR 3020
The Committee considered a report from the Council Secretary on the preferred time for seminar meetings. Having regard to the fact that a large number of Councillors would in future be involved with City Plan hearings which would not finish until 4.00 pm, it was resolved that future seminars would commence at 4.00 pm.
8. CHRISTCHURCH TOWN HALL MANAGEMENT RR 3017 The Committee considered a transition report prepared by the Town Hall Manager which contained the Chairperson's and Manager's reports to 31 March 1996. It was resolved that the transition report be received. (Note: It was subsequently agreed that Councillors Ganda and Sheriff would give consideration to some form of appropriate acknowledgement of the work of the Town Hall Sub- committee.)
9. ITEMS RECEIVED The Committee received the following reports:
9 Cont'd 9.1 Social Monitoring Programme Update RR 3010 The Committee considered a report from Kath Jamieson, Community Adviser Research, on the social monitoring programme currently being undertaken by the Leisure and Community Services Unit to assess the social environment in Christchurch, particularly in relation to poverty, hardship and community wellbeing. Details of the programme model, current status of the project and longer term goals for social monitoring in Christchurch were provided in the report. The project aims to provide the Council with data that will enable it to assess the impacts of central and local government policies on Christchurch citizens and look at the implications of policy changes. 9.2 Trustbank Community House RR 2963 The six monthly report of Trustbank Community House, together with the Annual Report and financial statement as at 31 March 1996, were presented for the information of members. The report advised details of a number of management changes to the operation of the Community House which had been instituted following a review in 1994 together with details of building maintenance and possible future directions. 9.3 Kids Who Read Succeed:
Report on the Preschool Outreach Project RR 561 The Committee considered a report on progress with the special preschool outreach project funded in the 1995/96 Annual Plan. The report provided a summary of the first phase of the project covering the methodology and strategies used during the project, groups contacted, professional liaison, community contact and performance measures. Library staff involved in the project reported a very positive response to the programme which it is intended will be continued during the 1996/97 financial year. 9.4 Court Theatre Trust RR 3031 Councillor David Cox reported on the Annual General Meeting of the Court Theatre Trust held on 15 May 1996 and a copy of the Trust's Annual Report for 1995 was tabled for the information of members.
The meeting concluded at 5.50 pm
CONSIDERED THIS 26TH DAY OF JUNE 1996
MAYOR