It is some time since Clubs for Young People and UK Youth issued a joint statement regarding the progress of our discussions concerning the closer working and possible merger in 2009. The purpose of this joint statement is therefore to update colleagues on progress.
A joint CYP/UKY merger group has been meeting frequently during the last six months, discussing practical matters regarding the establishment of a single new organisation including possible mission and objects, governance and membership. Over the next few months this group will begin to undertake tasks related to due diligence and engage young people and members in a dialogue to begin the task of selecting a name for the proposed new organisation.
At present the joint CYP/UKY joint merger group are planning to present a resolution regarding the possible establishment of a new single organisation to the autumn meetings of the Boards of Clubs for Young People and UK Youth. If a positive outcome is achieved at these meetings then a resolution to bring about the new, single organisation will be put to EGMs before the end of the year.
On a day to day work level we have already collaborated in a number of areas including the drawing up of a joint submission to the DCSF consultation on Youth Sector Support, working collectively as part of the Ministerial Advisory Group for Aiming High, holding joint meetings with the Youth Task Force and The Minister for Sport and achieving significant funding from both the Children and Young People Grant Fund and the Youth Sector Development Fund. In the immediate future we will also be working collaboratively on MyPlace and pursuing our vision for Youth Zones and the establishment of youth work academies.
Work is also underway to finalise an outline draft prospectus to describe the work of the potential new organisation. This we hope will assist members and stakeholders consider the benefits of a possible new merged organisation. The prospectus will be considered by both Boards in the coming weeks and will form the basis of consultations with members over the coming months.
We plan to issue a further joint statement in September, but in the meantime we are both very happy to discuss developments with colleagues if they wish to contact us.
Simon Antrobus andJohn Bateman.
June 2008.
