Nick Bye: Baffling choices mean charities await funding

Just between ourselves there are moments in my life as a Councillor when I think "here we go again" as I try to get on top of seemingly endless emails & juggle meeting requests when deep down I know the world will keep spinning even if I miss out on one or two.

For one day last week I had no fewer than nine meeting requests in my electronic diary & even Yours Truly hasn't worked out how to be in more than one place at a time.

The truth is some of these meetings aren't especially productive. Hopefully colleagues don't notice when I am resting my eyes/gently nodding off during yet another briefing on local government reorganisation, which seems to be currently taking up an enormous amount of energy in the Town Hall, despite not being our "shout" in any case. 

It wouldn't surprise me if the relevant ministers & civil servants haven't already sorted out the future of local government in Devon (& elsewhere) & it's all pinned up on a wall in Whitehall.

By contrast there are days when I feel it's an absolute privilege to serve as a Councillor & Lead Member for Children's Services. I get to meet people, especially young people, who I wouldn't otherwise meet, hear their views & find out what's going on in the Bay.

Last Friday & Saturday were both an absolute treat as I had the chance to visit the South Devon College on Friday then participate in the Powered by Youth event arranged by the Imagine This Partnership at the Spanish Barn, Torre Abbey on Saturday afternoon.

Every time I visit our South Devon College I just wish I was eighteen years old again & had the opportunity to immerse myself in all the learning & general "creative buzz". It's been great to see the College develop at its new site over the last twenty years, being there in all the rubble wearing a hard hat at the start, participate in the official opening, then to see the University Building & world class facilities take shape under our noses. It's easily the best thing that has happened in the Bay in recent years.

Last week's visit was to meet students in the College's High School then to get a better understanding of the programme for youngsters who are "Elected Home Education" of whom there are an ever growing number in the Bay.

Both sessions were an eye opener & I was hugely impressed by the supreme confidence of the High School  youngsters in particular who had chosen to move to the College as they reached Key Stage 4.

I can understand why the High School is oversubscribed : it appears to treat youngsters as grown ups, who respond accordingly & thrive in this environment. The opportunity to pursue vocational studies & make use of the College's amazing facilities is clearly an attractive option.

The offer for youngsters who are Elected Home Education is equally important & provides a way back into learning.

There are doubtless myriad reasons why children & their families opt out of formal school based learning. In some cases it's a positive choice, for many it's anything but ... increasing numbers of youngsters just don't seem to "fit" into traditional schooling, perhaps endure bullying or anxiety. 

In recent years the number of Elected Home Education children in the Bay has greatly increased. During the Covid times it went from about two hundred to three hundred; since then the numbers have increased further & are currently in excess of five hundred. 

I would be out of my depth if I was to give a definitive view on what has caused this explosion (other than a few reasons as above) but it must be having an impact on schools' budgets if nothing else ; I fear some children will miss out on social skills & friendships as well as in some cases learning.

Hence there is a need for what the College is providing, which I understand is almost unique.

My thoughts on all this were challenged at the BRILLIANT Powered by Youth event at the Spanish Barn on Saturday afternoon.

This was the most effective youth engagement event I have attended. Those who put it all together deserve to be thanked likewise the team at Torre Abbey for hosting & eloquently eliciting input from young people regarding the future of the Abbey. After all it's been around for eight hundred years or so & nurtured by successive generations. Now is a great opportunity for the next generation to have their say on the future of the Spanish Barn & shaping the grounds which lead up to the Abbey.

Numerous groups of young people, all under the umbrella of the Imagine This Partnership made a presentation. All were thought provoking, not least the aspiration for much more to do for children & young people in the Bay.

Of course Torbay Council is proceeding with a new play park strategy, has commissioned more activities for young people & endeavours to support numerous organisations. But things move slowly & we have a long way to go before we become a genuinely "Child Friendly" place.

Given the visit to the College the day before I was especially interested to hear the views of a group of youngsters who are Elected Home Education & have lost some services recently. One of them hosted a discussion group which included both the Council's Chief Executive & Yours Truly, so not exactly a job for the faint hearted but which she achieved with aplomb. We all agreed we have some serious thinking & reflection to do. Many thanks again to everyone involved.

From this "high" I must report Dear Reader a terrible low for Torbay Council.

I simply can't believe a small number of Opposition Councillors have decided to call in the Cabinet's decision to award £140,000 of funding intended to support good causes in some of our more deprived communities in Paignton & Brixham. (Torquay has its own much larger pot of government money).

It's enough to make you weep. Of course I accept with 36 Councillors you will have 36 different opinions about where the money should go. I also accept more details could be provided about these projects & good causes. So why not just write to the Chief Executive or Leader who I am sure would oblige?

Instead we are going to have another all singing all dancing "Overview & Scrutiny" call in session, perhaps even an all night sitting (on those hard Town Hall seats) & here's the rub: everything is on hold until the matter is resolved.

So the various good causes won't get the money for the time being at least. They include Sound Communities who do such good work with young people (& were at the Powered by Youth event) who were due to receive £20,000 for new outreach activity & refurbishment of a bus; Children's Week for a mobile PA system; Foxhole Community Association; Great Parks Community Fund; Home Start South West; the Music Factory; Torbay Citizens Advice Bureau; & Torbay Furniture Project CIC.

ALL five star good causes.

Why would you put any of this on hold?

If you want nothing doing at Torquay Town Hall you know the people to ask.