TOP Thurrock councillors have agreed to take the first steps towards providing services for young people in a totally new way.
Wednesday (12 January) evening’s meeting of Thurrock Council’s cabinet agreed that officers should investigate innovative methods of delivering the services.
Council Leader, Cllr John Kent said: “This is a really exciting idea where the authority would act as a facilitator for people who would be able to fill the gap in government funding we are facing.”
And Cllr Diana Hale, the portfolio holder for Education, explained: “This was first suggested by youth workers and staff at Grangewaters.
“This is not something that will happen overnight, but we’re looking at the potential for something that can deliver services in a way a council department cannot.”
She added: “There’s already been some interest shown by local organisations who have come to us to discuss their ideas, but we need to take this slowly to make sure we get it right.
A report to cabinet stated the council “is considering how to provide services at minimal cost, while maximising the community benefit”.
It looks at transferring “assets and services into a separate legal entity” to “secure efficiencies in both costs and the long term interests of the community”.
The formation of a specific charity is one example, members heard, but trusts, mutual organisations and social enterprises will also be looked at.
