Agenda and minutes

At the last meeting it was agreed that Alex would chair this meeting. Charley would be Vice-Chairman.

It was noted that Abigail would be the Chairman and Alex would be the Vice-Chairman.

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

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 9 January 2018 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Nnenna from Citizens Advice Bureau(CAB) would like to speak with Youth Councillors about their service.

The Epping Forest Chief Executive of Citizens Advice (CA), Nnenna Anyanwu gave a short presentation regarding the services that were provided by the CA to residents of the District. She advised that the service provided support and advice on issues such as eviction, debt, relationships, employment and benefits. The CA was currently looking for younger volunteers to help out with face-to-face advice, web-chats and telephone calls; to help promote the CA service to residents and for fund raising events. The volunteering was unpaid, although expenses could be claimed and it would provide young people with experience and training.

Nnenna asked that anyone interested in volunteering could contact Di Butler directly for her email details or pop into the CA offices in  Epping (Ernest Wythes House, 50a Hemnall Street, Epping CM16 4LS), Loughton (Loughton Library (first floor), Traps Hill, Loughton IG10 1HD) or Waltham Abbey (Side Entrance, Town Hall, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1DE).

The Youth Councillors thanked Nnenna for attending.

Di to update Youth Councillors on progress for the Youth Council Election 2018.

Di advised that the closing date for applications was Friday 16 February 2018 and any Youth Councillors, who wished to re-stand, would need to complete an application form.

Di advised that Chigwell School and Debden Park High School Youth Councillors would need to assist with the promotion of the Elections, as schools had not been able to arrange assemblies or provide lunch time information stalls in their schools.

Di thanked all Youth Councillors who had helped out with the assemblies.

The current Youth Councillors official term would terminate in October 2018 and they were expected to help mentor the incoming Youth Councillors and co-facilitate training.

The results of the elections would be announced by the Chairman of the Council, D Stallan on Tuesday 27 March 2018. 

Di/Abigail to update on the drugs project.

Di advised that

the drugs awareness bus advert route had been chosen and went through  Debden, Epping Forest, Loughton, St Margaret’s, Upshire, Waltham Abbey. The advert would be on 6 buses.

Di asked all Youth Councillors to promote the survey. www.tinyurl.com/efycsurvey

Abby informed members of the data received for the drugs survey and asked how Youth Councillors would like the data broken down. It was decided that this would be discuss at the next sub-group meeting. 

Di would continue to take the survey into schools with the Insider Roadshow.

Youth Councillors to report on achievements, events and training that they have accomplished since the last meeting.

Davenant Foundation School – Fin advised that the suggestion box had been placed in the reception area and the Youth Councillors had helped out with the Election assembly.

Debden Park High School – Ashwin advised that he and Jacob would circulate the surveys again. Di advised that she would contact the school to come in to support them.

Epping St John’s School – Marley was promoting the Youth Council Elections and the suggestion box had been left with the school reception. Nina had photocopied and placed the Youth Councillor poster around the school.

Ongar Academy – Oliver and Jude advised that they would like to have a suggestion box for their school.

ACTION: Di to organise a suggestion box to be dropped off at Ongar Academy.

Roding Valley High School – Raaj advised that he had been promoting the Youth Council Elections and students would be meeting with the Right Honourable Eleanor Laing MP.

West Hatch High School – Ricco advised that the surveys were to be handed out in form time at the beginning of school on Wednesday 7 February 2018.

Di/Gaby to advise the two winners of the Youth Council Cup.

Gaby advised that the winner of the Youth Council cup was Annabelle. She had been awarded the cup for her outstanding commitment to the Youth Council which included volunteering for many additional meetings and events, attending the Communities Select Committee and the Neighbourhood Action Panel meetings in Epping and recently joined the Anti- Social Behaviour meeting in Epping with Councillor H Whitbread.

Likewise, Adam had been a Youth Councillor for 3 years and instrumental in the MiLife project. Adam has always worked hard and had given many presentations representing the Youth Council and the young people of the Epping Forest District. Although, Adam was in year 12, his commitment to the Youth Council had been immense and he took his role very seriously, taking  on new challenges to push his abilities.

Youth Councillors Suzie, Abigail, Jacob, Annabelle and Adam would attend the Chairman’s civic Awards in March 2018.

Davin was presented with the Jack Petchey Achievement Award. Davin had grown in confidence and was an outstanding Youth Councillor. He was helpful, caring and a popular member of the Youth Council team, providing great support to his peers. He had been invited to attend the Jack Petchey Awards at the Kenneth More Theatre, Oakfield, Ilford on Wednesday 7 March 2018 and had £300 to spend on a Youth Council project.

There had been no submission forms received.

(a)          Notices by Diane;

(b)          Notices by Becky;

(c)          Any other Notices; and

(d)          Youth Councillor Notices.

(a) Notices by Diane;

·                     10^th Anniversary – The date has been confirmed for Wednesday 4 July 2018 at 7 pm - 9 pm at the Houses of Parliament. Previous Youth Councillors, Head teachers and dignitaries would be invited to celebrate the 10^th Anniversary. A coach would transport current and new Youth Councillors to the event.

Gaby advised that the uniform for the event would be a T-shirt specially designed for the occasion.

Youth Councillors were asked to consider merchandise ideas for the event to celebrate and hand out to guests. Youth Councillors suggested pens, badges, wrist bands and USB sticks.

·                     Communities Select Panel – EFYC had received £750 funding from the Communities Safety Partnership to continue the work with the Essex Police Cadets. The idea was to host an event such as the volunteering day in the Forest or an afternoon tea held at one of the sheltered homes in the district in conjunction with the Police Cadets, to raise the profile of young people and give something back to the community.

·                     Motiv8 – Youth Councillors had been invited to the dance showcase. It was being held on Monday 27 March 2018 at Epping Forest College. Marley, Lisa, Suzie, Jacob and Annabelle would be attending.

(b) Notices by Becky;

·                     Election Presentations – Becky advised Youth Councillors that they were required to assist with the Election presentations in the schools.

(c) Notices by Gaby;

·                     Communities Select Panel – Gaby advised that Youth Councillors were required to make a presentation to the Communities Select Committee on 13 March 2018 at 7 pm regarding the project work carried out by the Youth Council. Annabelle, Suzie, Ashwin, Abby and Nina advised that they would participate in the presentation.

·                     Crime Beat Awards – Gaby advised that the MiLife project had been  nominated in the finals of the Crime Beat Awards. The announcement would be made at the event on 18 April 2018.

(d) Youth Councillor Notices

·                     Neighbourhood Action Panel – Nina asked whether Youth Councillors had anything they would like to put forward to this panel as they were mainly focused on parking issues.

·                     O2 Funding – Raaj enquired about the O2 funding that could be applied for, to help fund a future project. Di advised that any Youth Councillor wishing to apply, could do so by themselves and officers could help support them although the application had to be completed by the Youth Councillor. Annabelle advised that she had completed an application but it had not been sent off. Di advised that she would arrange for Annabelle to come into the office to complete and send of the application.

·                     Police Cadets – The meeting with the Police Cadets on 23 January 2018 went very well. The event included a drill practice, speed meeting and a game of bench ball. Further joint events were being planned.

To note that the next meeting will be held on Tuesday 13 March 2018 at 19.00 – 21.00 at the Civic Offices.

The date of the next Youth Council meeting would be confirmed by email.