Agenda and minutes

At the last meeting it was agreed that Rose would chair this meeting.

Noted that Rose was the Chairman for meeting and Hazel was the Vice-Chairman.

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2016 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record subject to minute 190. Young Essex Assembly being replaced with ‘the responsibility of the Young Essex Assembly (YEA) had now transferred to the Youth service.

To discuss the Volunteering day.

Di reported that the Volunteering day at Chingford Plan was taking place on Wednesday 17 February 2016, at 9.30 a.m. It would be all day, no matter what the weather was like, therefore volunteers should bring suitable footwear (boots/wellies), a rain coat and clothes that could get dirty. A BBQ would be provided for lunch, although volunteers could bring their own lunch, if they preferred. Consent forms were required by all volunteers that attended with Youth Councillors before they could take part.

ACTION: Any consent forms to be handed back to Di for all external volunteers attending.

Di to report.

Di advised that following the Youth Engagement Review Task and Finish Panel, which had been completed in September 2015, the Youth Council elections had now been postponed until November 2016. This had resulted in the 2014/16 cohort of Youth Councillors being able to extend their term of Office until 6 December 2016, if they wanted.

The Youth Strategy Officers group had put together a draft timetable for the elections;

All remaining Youth Councillors would be required to help out with the assemblies at their schools.

It was noted that all 2014/16 Youth Councillors would be required on 6 December 2016 for a questions and answers session between the old and new cohort of Youth Councillors.

Youth Councillors to report.

(a)          School Updates

Anglo European School - Jaymey advised that he had made a presentation to year 7-9 pupils and this had included information about the Youth Council and the elections.

Davenant Foundation School - Joe advised that an assembly between the Youth Council and the School Council was being arranged.

Roding Valley High School – Doncho and Matthew had appointed year 7 Members to the School Council.

(b)          Suggestion Boxes

Louis advised that the suggestion boxes had been ordered. Discussions were then prompted on ways to improve the use of suggestion boxes. An online suggestion box was discussed and this was thought to be a good way of receiving suggestions from all pupils. Also comments were made about spreading the message and what the suggestion boxes were for, by making announcements in the school assembles alongside other notices.

ACTION: Louis to look into the online suggestions scheme.

(c)        Other Issues

Youth Councillors raised particular concerns about the news of subsidy cuts to Transport for London (TfL) in relation to bus routes 167 and 20 between Epping Forest, Walthamstow and Ilford, which a lot of students use and the effect that this would have on young people travelling around the district.   

Suggestion were made such as polls on Facebook and Twitter, to gather information to support any future projects and concerns raised, when going to the MP or ECC, which had been previously required when Youth Councillors had raised issues.

(d)       New Youth Councillors

Davin joined the meeting. He had been put forward as an interim Youth Councillor from West Hatch High School, until the new cohort were elected in November 2016. This had been due to Youth Councillors leaving their secondary schools for sixth forms in September 2016 and seats becoming vacant at west Hatch High School, Debden Park High School and King Harold Business and Enterprise Academy. 

Youth Councillors introduced themselves and welcomed Davin.

Di advised that Charlotte would also be joining from West Hatch and asked the new Youth Councillors Ashwin and Adam whether their schools had been able to recruit another Youth Councillor. Both of them advised that they had not received any further information from their schools.

Di advised that the ‘Prevent’ assemblies had now been arranged in Davenant Foundation, Debden Park High, King Harold Business and Enterprise Academy and Roding Valley High is scheduled for the 5^th May. 

Di asked Youth Councillors for feedback. It was felt that the information had been relevant and interesting but for some year groups the presentation was shorter due to registration.

ACTION: Di to feedback to the group performing the assemblies.

To discuss the project for 2016.

(a)          Tube Map

Louis advised that the tube map of activities for young people had been updated with an additional 23 groups and the map would be reproduced and given out in travel wallets. The Red Balloon charity was still involved with the project and would help to make the map interactive on the Youth Council’s website.  

There were some discussions about using the travel wallet as a promotional item for the elections, although some Youth Councillors thought they would become redundant after the election period. 

ACTION: Louis to take on board the Youth Councillors comments about the travel wallets.

(b)          Wellbeing and Mental Health

Di advised that following the last meetings discussion around a final project for this cohort of Youth Councillors, it had been clear that wellbeing and mental health was a huge issue for all young people, whether it related to school, home life, friends or work. Therefore it had been proposed that the next project would be around Wellbeing and Mental Health, using training opportunities from North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT). Other suggestions included producing a DVD to promote awareness and use this within the Reality Roadshows and that schools would be eager to be involved as this was becoming a large issue in school as well.

Matthew/Tom to report.

Matthew advised that Essex County Council would like to hold a Stakeholder event again with the Youth Council having a more directional role, to enable them to find out what the District required for youth provision. Youth Councillors who attended the event last time felt undirected and unclear about their role, although some of the information it was interesting.

Di advised that if Youth Councillors wanted to be involved, Vicki Young would have to fully explain what was required of the Youth Councillors at a planning meeting.

ACTION: Di to email Vicki Young to find out further details.

Matthew to report.

There were currently no updates.

1.         Matt Charlton – Haven Hospice

Matt would be attending to talk about the hospice and had arranged a visit for Tuesday 29 March 2016 at 11 a.m.

2.         Lynn Sheldrick – Woodcraft Folk, Waltham Abbey

Lynn and members of the group wanted to introduce themselves to the Youth Council to explain about the children’s charity, Woodcraft Folk, which worked with children from 5 to 18 years old in social education and issues that affect children.

Both would be attending the next meeting on the 1 March 2016.

The Chairman for the next meeting would be Leonora with Nathan as the Vice Chairman.

(a)          Notices by Diane;

(b)          Notices by Louis;

(c)          Any other Notices; and

(d)          Youth Councillor Notices.

(a)                  Notices by Diane

·         May/June meetings – Di advised that the formal Council meetings had been cancelled, to enable project work to take priority through the exam period.

(b)                  Notices by Louis

·         Scout Group Epping – Youth Councillors were asked to attend the 7^th Scout Group in Epping to answer some questions and give a short presentation on 23 February 2016.

ACTION: Matthew, Evie, Joe and Leonora advised that they would attend.

·         Overview and Scrutiny Presentation – 5 Youth Councillors were required to make a presentation to the O&S Committee on 19 April 2016 and other youth Councillors were required to attend in support as well.

ACTION: Doncho, Leonora, Matthew, Joe and Jaymey would like to give the presentation. All Youth Councillors to attend.

·         Room Change – The officers of the Youth Strategy group had changed the rooms from the Council Chamber to committee rooms because of project work.

(c)                  Youth Councillor Notices

·       Loughton Town Council Civic Awards – Some Loughton/Theydon Bois Youth Councillors had received invitations to the Loughton Town Council Civic Awards on Sunday 28 February 2016 at 3pm and would be attending.

ACTION: Joe and Matthew would attend.

·       Jaymey – Gave a short presentation regarding his international volunteering work in India and South Africa over the summer holidays in 2015.

·        

He explained that he spent time with local people in surrounding villages, helped educate them on topics like Business and English and support them in building schools and developing farm land. He had raised funds of £2,500 over a two year period for his trip through an online Just Giving page and by writing to local businesses. The volunteering experiences had helped him to build personal resilience and made him open minded and a good team player. 

He advised that Youth Councillors interested in volunteering should be cautious when using other websites and to check age restrictions but he had used the following www.freethechildren.com and www.frontier.ac.com.

To note that the next meeting will be held on Tuesday 1^st March  at 19.30 – 21.00 at the Civic Offices.

The next meeting would be held on Tuesday 1 March 2016 in the Committee Room 1, Civic Offices, Epping.