STEPS are being taken to help young people in Islington find a better future and avoid drifting into crime or gangs.<br>Islington Council has put together a big action plan in response to two reports that recommended ways of helping the borough's young people.<br>These reports were from the Commission on Young People and Safety in Islington, and the Scrutiny Committee on the Involvement of Young People in Council Services.<br>Now the council has put together written responses to all of the 40 recommendations made by the Commission, and the 10 made by the Scrutiny Committee.<br>Key points, in response to recommendations by the Commission and Scrutiny Committee, include:<br><br>· Providing extra knife scanning wands to Islington's police after money was found by the council.<br>· Working with young people who have got into trouble, or are at risk of getting involved with violence or gangs, as well as with their parents, younger brothers and sisters.<br>· Involving young people more in deciding how to spend council money, including local panels of young people making decisions about where an extra £300,000 will be spent on activities this year.<br><br>Many of the reports' recommendations are already being tackled through the council's Integrated Strategy for Young People, agreed earlier this month.<br>Cllr Ursula Woolley, Islington Council's Executive Member for Children and Young People, said: "We take young people's futures and safety very seriously, and are determined to do all we can to help.<br>"I want young people in Islington to feel safe when they're out and about with friends and know how to get involved with all the good things to do that are on offer for them."<br>Cllr Greg Foxsmith, who chaired the Commission on Young People and Safety in Islington and the Scrutiny Committee, said: "It's good to see our recommendations being taken on board.<br>"I will be keeping a close eye on this to make sure that the findings continue to translate into action.<br>"The Commission report in particular has had a fantastic response from the public. <br>"Other boroughs have been looking carefully at our findings, and young people in the borough, many of whom would not ordinarily be involved with the council, have commented favourably on the recommendations"<br>The council's responses to the two reports are going before Islington Council's Executive Committee on 3 July for consideration.<br>
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009