Agenda and minutes

To agree the Chairman and Vice-Chairman for the meeting.

It was noted that Ashwin would be Chairman and Adam would be the Vice-Chairman for this meeting.

To confirm the attached minutes of the last meeting of the Youth Council are correct.

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 1 March 2016 be taken as a correct record.

The Chairman welcomed Gaby Gold, the Assistant Community, Health and Wellbeing Manager to her first official meeting and congratulated Youth Councillors who had recently taken their exams.

To report on the Youth Council Elections.

Di advised that she and Louis would be going into secondary schools between Monday 12 September and Friday 14 October 2016, to promote the Youth Council Elections. All Youth Councillors were asked to help out with the assemblies within their own schools or in others and help to liaise with teachers to confirm dates for the elections. The Closing date for nominations was Friday 14 October 2016. 

The EFYC Booklets for nominations were handed out to Youth Councillors.

ACTION: All Youth Councillors available to help out should contact Di and attend the planning group meeting next week at Hemnall street. Any Youth Councillors still attending secondary schools within the District should approach their liaison teacher to confirm dates for the Youth Council Election assemblies.

To report on the Positive Mental Health Project.

Di advised that the project work had continued over the summer holidays with some Youth Councillors creating their own MiBoxs, which contain items that made them feel happy when they felt down. Adam, Matthew, Julie, Hazel and Ashwin filmed some vlogs about their MiBoxs, which were to be uploaded through YouTube. They  explained what the Miboxs were used for and were shown to the rest of the Youth Councillors. Everyone thought that had been filmed and edited in a very professional manner.

ACTION: Matthew to bring his memory sticks with the edited vlogs, so that they could be uploaded to YouTube at the group meeting on Tuesday 13 September 2016.

Di advised that a pilot assembly had been put together for Mental Health Awareness and would take place on 13 October 2016 at St John’s School, Epping. The assembly would contain a variety of media including a piece by the Forum Theatre production, the North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT) on Positive Mental Health, the Black Dog Campaign (animation), testimonials from NELFT read out by actors and Youth Councillors, Vlogs by the Youth Councillors and support and advice by NELFT/Red Balloon Family. At present the assemblies would be for year 7 to year 11. 

Matthew advised that Southend and Harlow Youth Councils had shown interest in the EFDC Mental Health Project and wanted to get involved in partnership working and share resources. Youth Council discussed ideas of how this could happen and decided that a letter would be drafted about the concerns of mental health issues with young people with each of the Youth Councils sending their Local MP’s a copy of the letter.

Ashwin advised that he had found the website ‘time to change’ (time-to-change.org.uk) a useful insight into the stigma surrounding mental health problems and also a way to make a pledge to address positive mental health issues.

Gaby advised that the Mental Health Project had been put forward for funding from the Youth Strategy Group Funding and were awaiting the outcome.

Di thanked Jaymey and Matthew for their contributions to the Youth Strategy Group, since taking over the previous Members when they retired. 

ACTION: Matthew to draft a letter to Southend and Harlow Youth Council’s to offer EFYC support and draft a letter to local MP’s asking for their support.

To report on the volunteering opportunities in connection with the District’s Secondary Schools.

Di advised that Davenant was currently the only school to have taken up the opportunity for a volunteering day. Youth Councillors were asked to approach their teachers to ask whether their schools would be interested in taking part.

The volunteering days could be run with up to 30 volunteers and either in collaboration with the City of London Corporation in the Forest or at the Museum in Waltham Abbey which could cater for around 12 volunteers.

ACTION: All Youth Councillors to contact their teachers to about volunteering day.

To report on any updates from schools.

Di advised that Louis had been updating the information for the school notice boards and required headshots of Charley and Davin.

King Harold Business & Enterprise Academy - Adam advised that he was now Head boy and the Student Council was beginning again.

Debden Park High School – Louis asked Ashwin to check on the location of the Notice board.

Roding Valley High School – Matthew advised that the school council continued.

ACTION: Charley, Davin and Lisa to have their photos taken for the new poster at the next meeting (Tuesday 13 September 2016).

To update Youth Councillors on the Youth Essex Assembly.

Matthew advised that the YEA elections were taking place between 21-27 November 2016 and nominations were required by Monday 17 October 2016. Applicants needed to be between 11 – 19 years, must live, work or study in the district they wish to represent and needed to be available to attend monthly meetings, events and training when required. Further details could be found at www.young-essex-assembly.org.uk

Matthew advised that he was one of seven members representing the District and his term of office would end 31 December 2016. He explained that YEA was a really good opportunity and could led to a place on the Youth Parliament.

To update Youth Councillors on the Youth Parliament.

Matthew advised that the Youth Parliament (YP) were meeting on 11 November 2016 in the House of Commons to debate and decide the most important issues to campaign on for ‘Make Your Mark’ 2016/17.

The aim was to get as many young people voting for the issues that effect young people across the United Kingdom. Matthew had 1,000 ‘MakeYourMark’ ballot papers to be completed and asked that Youth Councillors take either these paper copies into their schools or his preferred method a tally sheet, which involved a  teacher’s reading out the 10 issues and classes voting for them by a hand and the sheet being signed off by the teacher.

ACTION: Louis would print out some of the tally sheets and hand them out at the next meeting on Tuesday 13 September 2016.

To present the certificates.

Adam advised that himself, Ashwin and Tom had attend the Jack Petchey Awards on 5 July 2016 to receive their medals and certificates. The event was enjoyed by all.

Di asked Youth Councillors to nominate the next award winner, who they felt had contributed to the Youth Council in an extraordinary way. The winner would be announced at the next meeting in October 2016.

Youth Councillors to report on events attended since the last meeting.

(a)          Haven Hospice Tour – Julie advised that Youth Councillors who attended the visit, found that it had been very insightful into what the Haven Hospice could provide the patients and families. Davin was impressed by the variety of fundraising events and ideas.

(b)          Overview & Scrutiny -  Matthew advised that Youth Councillors had attended the O&S Committee in April 2016, to advise Members of the Youth Council’s achievements. They received positive feedback and answered questions put to them by Members.

(c)          Jack Petchey Awards Ceremony – Adam advised that the event was a really good experience.

(d)          Houses of Parliament Tour – The Youth Councillors attended the Houses of Parliament.

(e)          Local Plan Filming – Youth Councillors took part in a short clip for the Local Plan Consultation about what the District’s Young people would like to see in the next ten years. Di advised that the film would be available to view on Friday 9 September 2016.

(f)           Mental Health Project MiBox Vlogs – Youth Councillors who took part in the filming of the MiBox vlogs really enjoyed the day. The clips were shown to the other Youth Councillors and would be uploaded to YouTube shortly.

(g)          Lambourne End Outdoor Centre Consultation – Di advised that Lambourne End had asked to publish some of the Youth Councillors comments in their report.

(h)          Ongar Academy Bullying Awareness – Di, Gaby and Ashwin had attended Ongar Academy to speak to year 7 pupils about bullying awareness and hand out the wristbands to advise pupils where they can look for advice about bullying. Ashwin really enjoyed the experience.

Following the Youth Council being involved in the Local Plan filming. The Local Plan team would like the opportunity to make a presentation with Councillor John Philip, Portfolio Holder for Planning, about the Draft Plan followed by questions and answers and the completion of a Draft Plan questionnaire.

ACTION: Di to respond to the invitation from the Local Plan Team and Councillor J Philip to attend the Youth Council meeting on 15 November 2016.

(a)          Notices by Diane;

(b)          Notices by Louis;

(c)          Any other Notices; and

(d)          Youth Councillor Notices.

(a)          Head Shots – Photographs were required for Lisa, Davin and Charley for their school notice board.

(b)          Diary Dates – Louis advised the following dates to note;

·         Tuesday 13 September 2016 - EYFC Emotional Wellbeing & Mental Health Project Planning/Assembly Presentation rehearsal @ 7 – 9 pm, Hemnall Street;

·         Tuesday 20 September 2016 - EFYC Meeting with Ben from NELFT @ 7 – 9 pm, Hemnall Street; and

·         Tuesday 27 September 2016 - EYFC Emotional Wellbeing & Mental Health Project Planning @ 7 – 9 pm, Hemnall Street.

To note that the next meeting will be held on Tuesday 4 October 2016 at 19.30 – 21.00 at the Civic Offices.

The next meeting would be held on Tuesday 4 October 2016 at 19.00 – 21.00 at the Civic Offices.