You mean they haven’t been doing this already!!
From dfes.gov (full story)…
LOCAL AUTHORITIES NOW REQUIRED TO PROVIDE POSITIVE ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
08 January 2007
From Monday 8 January 2007 all local authorities will be expected to secure access for young people to ‘positive activities’, including youth clubs, sports facilities and art projects.
Local authorities will also be expected to take account of young people’s views on activities and facilities currently available to them as well as any new ones they would like to see in the area.
The local authority will then be required to publicise these to young people, and to keep the information up-to-date.
The requirements come into force today under Section 6 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006.
‘Positive activities’ might include sports clubs, cultural events, volunteering schemes or art projects but the scope is broad and activities can be educational or recreational – so long as they contribute to young people’s well-being.
This new legislation was proposed in the Green Paper, Youth Matters, and DfES is committed to engaging and empowering young people as well as working with local authorities to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to take part in positive, meaningful activities.
Young People’s Minister, Beverley Hughes, said:
“Some local authorities already provide excellent services for young people, we want to see that ethos spread, and the rest catch up with the best.