Agenda and minutes

The Chairman will be Suzannah for the duration of the meeting, with Annabelle as the Vice-Chairman.

The roles of Chairman and Vice Chairman for the Youth Council meetings are based on a rota to allow all Youth Councillors the opportunity. The Vice-Chairman supports the Chairman throughout the meeting then becomes the Chairman of the next meeting.

Youth Councillors are asked to submit their name, if they would like to be the Chairman for a future meeting.

Chairs for Full Council Meetings 2018 - 2020

It was noted that Annabelle would be the Chairman and Suzannah would be Vice-Chairman for this meeting.

The Chairman then asked for Youth Councillors who wished to be a Chairman at a future meeting to indicate and a rota would be created. Each person would be the Vice-Chairman the meeting before they were Chairman.

AGREED:

That the following rota of Chairman and Vice Chairman be agreed for 2018/20.

Chairs for Full Council Meetings 2018 - 2020

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 9 October 2018 were a correct record.

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

Braeside Independent School – Simran and Sam advised that there had ben Art and Christmas card competitions held at the school.

Chigwell School – Abigail advised that pupils had just returned following the half term break and it was exam period.

Davenant Foundation School – Archie advised that the school council had been elected and recently met, there had been a non-uniform day and events had been held for Remembrance Day.

Debden Park High School – Rene advised that the school was taking part in the Operation Christmas Child, which asked pupils to fill a shoe box with small gifts. Other events included a Halloween party for year 7, a sing and song night and an independent reflective week for pupils to consider what could be improved around the school.

Epping St John’s School – Megan advised that teachers had been reaffirming respect between them and pupils.

The Ongar Academy – Harriette advised that the year captains had been chosen.

Roding Valley High School – Jasmine advised that year 11 pupils were completing their mock exams and preparing for the sixth form opening evening. Florence was looking at involving the Youth Council in school life and Daniel advised that form representatives had been chosen.

West Hatch High School – Arjun advised that the school had been preparing for the opening evening and the Christmas Performance.

Abigail to update.

Abigail presented the final report to Youth Councillors regarding the drugs survey. There were positive outcomes in the survey that revealed that although some young people had tried certain substances, there was not a wide scale problem in the District and young people felt able to say no. It also highlighted the main reason for young people trying drugs was down to boredom.

The four recommendations were as follows;

1.    To lobby the Government and MP’s to prevent the sale of legal highs to under 18;

2.    That restrictions were brought in on the age of purchasing legal highs;

3.    Find other alternatives to the canisters; and

4.    That the consequences of legal highs and awareness was increase.

Councillor D. Wixley asked that the report be shared with Members of the Council, the PFCC be advised and District Commander, Chief Inspector Lewis Basford.

Gaby advised that the report would be shared with all the relevant stakeholders.

To consider and agree the Youth Council Constitution for 2018/20.

Gaby advised that the Youth Council Constitution set out the Youth Council operates, how decisions were made and what procedures were followed. In particular it set out the commitment required by Youth Councillors including the attend required. Youth Councillors were asked to look over the Constitution so that it could be formally agreed at the next meeting.

ACTION: Youth Councillors and Officers to check the Constitution for any amendment or updates required.

Youth Councillors to feedback on any events that they have attended in relation to the Youth Council since the last meeting.

Young Essex Assembly – Arjun advised that himself, Daniel, Eleanor and Jyoti attended the hustings event at Loughton Youth Centre on Tuesday 23 October 2018.

British Youth Council – Archie advised that himself, Jyoti and Eleanor had attended the BYC Diversity Conference.  It was a very good event and EFYC hosted a stall, which had a lot of enquiries from other delegates about the work that was done by EFYC..

Hen Power – Harriette, Barnaby and Megan had attended this event, which incorporated residents from a residential home in North Weald

Training – Youth Councillors had taken part in training in the half term holiday which included ‘Sparks for Life’, the Essex Magistrates and survival guides following criminal activity. Youth Councillors had decided to create survival guides for young people to help cope with or prevent young people being the victim of crime.

Youth Activity map – Arjun and Barnaby advised that they would help research the youth groups within the district with Paula, to complete the tube map of youth groups.

Loughton Town Council – Zak and Jasmine gave a presentation and overview of the Youth Council to the Loughton Town Council. Councillor D. Wixley thanked the Youth Councillors on behalf of the Town Council.

Drugs Project – Stannimir advised that he and the Council’s Chairman, Councillor R Bassett had located the bus with the Youth Council poster on the back of it and had taken photographs. 

Young Essex Assembly(YEA) – Arjun, Eleanor and Jyoti had applied to be a Member of YEA. Arjun advised that voting was open to youth groups and secondary schools all around the district with the top seven being elected.

Christmas Social – Paula asked Youth Councillors to WhatsApp her details and attendance for this event on 4 December 2018.

Communities Select Committee – Stannimir would be attend the next Select Committee on 13 November  2018.

Remembrance Day Services – Youth Councillors were asked to represent the Youth council at the Remembrance Service at Epping and Loughton.

Youth Council Charity – Gaby asked Youth Councillors to consider whether to support the Council’s Chairman’s Charities or whether they would like to raise money for another charity.

ACTION: Youth Councillors to consider and decided.

(a)          Notices by Gaby;

(b)          Notices by Paula;

(c)          Any other Notices; and

(d)          Youth Councillor Notices.

·         Water Bottles – Youth Councillors enquired about reusable water bottles. Gaby advised that the Community Services Team would be attending a future meeting to explain the services they provide and would supply Youth Councillors with a re-usage bottle.

·         Remembrance Sunday – Youth Councillors held a minutes silence in respect of the commemorations that were being held on Sunday 11 November 2018.

Gaby advised that Stannir had won the Jack Petchey Award for October for his public speaking, being a natural leader, acceptance of new challenges and was a responsible Youth Councillor.

Gaby advised that Zak had won the Jack Petchey Award for November for his commitment, public speaking, a good role model and as a good all round Youth Councillor.

Both Youth Councillors would attend a future Jack Petchey Award ceremony to received their medallion and certificate.

To note that the next meeting will be held on Tuesday 11 December 2018 at 19.00 – 21.00 at the Civic Offices.

That the next meeting would be held on 11 December 2018.