Agenda and minutes

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

It was noted that Joe would be Chairman and Matthew would be the Vice-Chairman for this meeting.

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2016 be taken as a correct record.

To report on the Youth Council Elections progress.

Di advised that the promotional assemblies had taken place and all schools except West Hatch had decided to hold elections.

West Hatch had confirmed that Charlie and Davin would be nominated as the school representatives because they had only recently joined the Youth Council and around 80% of the pupils live outside the district and therefore were not eligible.

Di thanked Adam, Lisa and Hazel for their help at King Harold Business and Enterprise Academy, Tom and Oliva at Chigwell School, Joe and Rose at Davenant Foundation School, Matthew at Roding Valley High School and Ashwin at Debden Park High School.

The closing date for nominations was Friday 14 October 2016 and application forms and manifesto’s needed to be submitted by this date for any Youth Councillors looking to re-stand. There were also 5 independent places on offer to young people who did not attend schools within the district but fulfilled the other criteria.

The election dates had been confirmed as the following;

Epping St John’s C of E School – Tuesday 1 November 2016;

Debden Park High School – Friday 4 November 2016;

King Harold Business & Enterprise Academy - Monday 7 November 2016;

Braeside – Tuesday 8 November 2016;

Ongar Academy – Wednesday 9 November 2016;

Davenant Foundation School – Thursday 10 November 2016;

Roding Valley High School – Friday 11 November 2016; and

Chigwell School – Friday 11 November 2016.

The results would be announced live on the webcast by the Chairman of the Council, Councillor J Lea.

http://eppingforestdc.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_ interactive/239004

Application forms could be submitted by paper or electronically and the introduction day would be held on Saturday 19 November 2016.

ALL YOUTH COUNCILLORS were required to attend the meeting on 22 November 2016 at 6 -9 p.m. to take part in a questions and answers session, exchange experiences, show case their achievements and say their good byes.

To report on the Positive Mental Health Project.

Di advised that the Mi life logo had been confirmed and the webpage commissioned by the Red Balloon Family had nearly been completed. The webpage would encompass information used within the sessions including the films, support details, testimonials, a parents section and the pastoral care officer. The pilot session had been schedule for the Thursday 13 October 2016 at Epping St John’s School and following feedback and tweaks the Positive Mental Health project would be rolled out to other state secondary schools in the district. The web page link was www.milife.org.uk

Di enquired whether Matthew had progressed on the draft letter for Harlow and Southend Youth Councils to send to their MP’s regarding Mental Health Issues, concerning young people. Matthew advised that he would be draft a letter but wanted to discuss the idea with colleagues at the Youth Parliament event this weekend.

Youth Councillors to report on any updates from schools/colleges/home education.

Youth Councillors advised Members of any updates from their schools;

Davenant Foundation School – Joe advised that he had met with the new school council and would be happy to work with the Youth Council.

Debden Park High School – Ashwin advised that it was World Mental Health day on Monday 10 October 2016 and Youth Councillors could sign up to pledge a donation. Also the notice board would be sorted out for the new Youth Councillors.

King Harold Business & Enterprise Academy – Adam/Lisa advised that the notice board had not been updated with the election information.

Roding Valley High School – Matthew was helping out with the promotion assemblies.

Harlow College – Di advised that Julie had contacted Ken Wilcott for ‘Student Voice’ and he would like to met with Chloe as well.

Matthew to report.

Matthew advised that he had no further updates. He had been disappointed with the commitment of the YEA, due to the cancellation of meetings and events and that they didn’t appear to complete or deliver projects unlike EFYC. Di advised that the YEA currently had less than 50% membership and the logistics of getting all the members together from the County, probably impacted on what the YEA could practically achieve.

Matthew to report.

Matthew advised that he had received around 900 ballot papers, which needed to be submitted by Friday 7 October 2016. He would be meeting with other YP members this weekend and hoped to become a Debate Leader for the annual ‘Make your Mark’ campaign in the Houses of Parliament.

Matthew would advise members of the chosen priorities for the Youth Parliament and what the top three were for Epping Forest. Matthew also wanted to thanks Ashwin for his ‘sterling work’ collecting ballot paper at Debden Park High School.  

To present the award.

The winner of the Jack Petchey Award would be announced at the next meeting.

The promotional team supporting the Draft Local Plan had confirmed that they would attend the next meeting on 15 November 2016 with the Portfolio Holder for Planning Policy, Councillor J Philip. As previously noted the Youth Council had agreed for them to attend the next meeting.

The promotional recording that the Youth Council took part in was shown to Members. The Youth Councillors were disappointed with the content and edited comments of the Youth Councillors who took part in the recording.

ACTION: Di to speak to the promotional company to find out why so little of the filming appeared in the final video.

Youth Councillors to raise items of business for consideration at the next meeting.

Matthew asked that a Thankyou and Farewell item be added to the next agenda, as it was the last official Youth Council meeting for the 2014/16 co-hort.

(a)          Notices by Diane;

(b)          Notices by Louis; and

(c)          Youth Councillor Notices.

(a)        Louis asked Youth Councillors to promote the Young Citizen of the Year award within their schools and social clubs. The prize had been increased to £300, with a certificate and a place at the Chairman’s Civic Awards Evening in March 2017. The closing date for nomination was 25 November 2016.

(b)        Di advised that Loughton Town Council had contacted them about the Christmas Card Competition, in which young people could submit Christmas card designs. If application were needed Youth Councillors should contact Di.

(c)        Di asked Youth Councillors to write up short testimonials about what the members had achieved and got out of being a Youth Council through their terms of office.

Youth Councillors generally felt that they had gained confidence, had more opportunities to engage with their communities, given something back to their communities, met friends, were happy, work experience and career paths and were surprised by the stuff they had experienced and got involved in, which they might not have done if they were not part of the Youth Council.

To note that the next meeting will be held on Tuesday 15 November 2016 at 19.00 – 21.00 at the Civic Offices.

The next meeting would be held on Tuesday 15 November 2016 at 19.00 – 21.00 at the Civic Offices.