Agenda and minutes

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

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

The Chairman officially welcomed a new Youth Councillor from West Hatch High School, Ricco Jayakody.

The Chairman informed members that Youth Councillor Alex Hantig had resigned and he took the opportunity to thank Alex for his valued contribution to the Youth Council and wished him all the best with his studies.

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 3 October 2017 be taken as a correct record.

Kyle Grieve and Chris Scalzo from NELFT NHS Foundation Trust would be giving an update on the MyMind.

Chris Scalzo, Nikki Tysoe and Kyle Grieve from NELFT NHS gave a short presentation about an online resource for young people that they were working on; to create more awareness of mental health services and NHS approved resources. This information included self help information, recommended websites, downloadable apps or information put together by the NHS for young people affected by mental health issues, periods of depression or anxiety.

The Youth Councillors gave their ideas on what young people might want, which included useful advise, joke pages, personal experiences and sharing those, easy access to app’s, area based information, exercises for the mind, the physical aspects, reassurance and to prevent self-diagnosing with list of symptoms. They were considering changing the name and ‘My Mind Matters’ was a popular choice.

Any ideas that Youth Councillors have could be passed onto Di and emailed through to the NELFT NHS.

Sade Sutherland, Bethany Tasker and Casey Hendricks, Harlow Youth Councillors attended the meeting to share experiences and information on the progress of their Youth Council. They had been involved in various projects based on consultations affecting the young people of the town and help out with promoting events.

The Chairman advised that EFYC had just hosted the 2017 Youth Conference, which had approximately 80 pupils attending from 8 schools in and around the District. The  guest speakers included Alex Burghart MP for Ongar and Brentwood, the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Jane Gardner, Tom Mitchell standing in for the District Commander of Essex Police, the Chairman of Epping Forest District Council, Councillor D Stallan, the Leader Councillor Chris Whitbread and the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Community Services, Councillor Helen Kane.

The next project for EFYC was a Drug awareness project, Say No to N2O, aka laughing gas. Flyers for schools had been produced and advertising on a local bus services had also been arranged. There were also arrangements being made for 10^th Anniversary celebrations in 2018.

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

·                     Youth Conference

·                     Listening Bench Launch – St John’s Church, Epping; and

·                     MiLife.

a)            Youth Conference

Alex reported that the conference had been successful. The debate regarding Essex Police having a dedicated School Liaison Officer serving the Epping Forest District was rejected 62% to 38% . Alex advised that the quiz was informative and ‘skills for work’ was voted as the next priority for the Youth Council.

Di congratulated the Youth Councillors who worked together for the Youth Conference.

b)            Listening Bench Launch – St John’s Church, Epping

The listening bench was officially launched on Saturday 4 November 2017 at St Johns Church in Epping. Annabelle, Adam, Fin, Nina and Alex attended with Louis.

c)            Communities Select Committee

Annabelle advised that the Essex Police’s District Commander, Lewis Basford attended the meeting and talked about the need for Liaison officers in schools in the District and answered questions on the crime statics and prevention of crime.

d)            MiLife – Roding Valley High School

Raaj advised that he felt the roadshow was a success at Roding Valley High School.

The Chairman advised that Youth Councillors attending the schools should help support the events.

Dates to be noted for MiLife attending schools were;

Ongar Academy - Thursday 7 December 2017

Epping St John’s – Thursday 14 December 2017

Davenant Foundation – Thursday 8 February 2018

King Harold - Thursday 26 April 2018

Debden Park, West Hatch and Epping Forest College were to be confirmed.

e)            Remembrance Sunday

Annabelle attended the Remembrance Service in Epping, Jacob attended the Remembrance Service in Loughton and Adam attended the Remembrance Service in Waltham Abbey. Everyone was overwhelmed by the amount of people attending the services and they all laid a wreath.

To update on the progress of the project.

Di advised that the posters had been completed and sent to all the secondary schools. Officers were still under negotiation to determine the best bus route and company that would advertise in the District.

Abigail advised that 341 responses had been received for the drugs online survey. Further analysis would be required on the responses but it would be helpful if Youth Councillors at Chigwell School, Davenant Foundation School, Epping Forest College, King Harold Business & Enterprise Academy and the Ongar Academy tried to get more pupils to fill in the survey.

The surveys were given to teachers who attended the Youth Conference on the 3 November 2017 and hopefully some responses would be received.

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

Davenant Foundation School - Alex advised that the school council were holding an assembly promoting EFYC, Youth Conference and the suggestion boxes.

Debden Park High School – Ashwin advised that it was Anti-bullying week and his school was raising awareness.

Epping St John’s School - Annabelle advised that Nina had taken over the establishment of an EFYC notice board and most schools in the District were taking part in a Parliamentary debate on Friday 17 November 2017 at the school.

Roding Valley High School - Raaj advised that the debate club were taking part in an event.

West Hatch High School – Davin advised that no progress had been made with a school council.

To award the Youth Council Cup.

The Youth Council Cup was presented to Suzannah for her outstanding contribution and commitment to the Youth Council. Suzie has been an extremely caring member of the Youth Council and was always there to support others. Suzie would be joining the Chairman at the Civic awards in March 2018.

There were 2 more awards to be made before March, so officers were looking for Youth Councillors that had good attendance, were working hard behind the scenes on the project work, representing the Youth Council in schools and being a good role model.

Di advised that the Police Cadets would like to attend a future meeting and a date would be confirmed shortly.

Raaj asked if other Cadet groups could attend. Di advised that any group could submit a request to speak to the Youth Council via Di or the website.

Raaj also enquired whether a previous Youth Councillor could attend a meeting to advise how they used their experiences.

ACTION: Becky to contact retired Youth councillors to invite them to speak about their achievements.

Annabelle asked whether a social media post could be sent out to ask whether there were any groups that would like to attend future meeting.

ACTION: Becky Moreton to post request on social media.

(a)          Notices by Diane;

(b)          Notices by Becky;

(c)          Any other Notices; and

(d)          Youth Councillor Notices.

Notices by Di;

·                     Houses of Parliament – A visit was being planned for April or May 2018 school holidays with Eleanor Laing MP, date would be confirmed soon.

·                      Eleanor Laing MP – The MP has expressed an interest in meeting with the Youth Council in Loughton. A date would be confirmed for 2018.

·                     Jack Petchey Award – Youth Councillors were asked to nominate a Youth Councillor that had gone the extra mile and deserved to win the Jack Petchey Achievement award.

·                     One to One – Di advised that the following Youth Councillors needed to book their one-to-one sessions with Di; Adam, Ashwin, Belle, Blake, Charley, Christopher, Jacob, Jess, Jude, Lisa, Marley, Sam and Zach.

Notices by Becky;

·                     Police Survey – This has been emailed to everyone. Could you complete this online and make sure friends and family complete it as well. www.essex.pfcc.police.uk/policing-precept-survey

·                     Attendance – Youth Councillors were reminded that attendance was monitored and Youth Councillors should advise officers if they were unable to attend.

·                     Diaries Sheets – These had been updated and available to all Youth Councillors.

·                     Taxi Service – Officers were monitoring the service being provided and if any Youth Councillors had any concerns they should speak to officers; and

·                     Young Citizen of the Year Award – Nominations were now being accepted. Could all Youth Councillors promote and ensure that teachers know about the awards. The closing date for application was 24 November 2017.

Notices by Youth Council;

·                     Drugs Survey – Abigail asked Youth Councillors to promote the survey so that at least 500 people complete before the end of the year.www.tinyurl.com/efycsurvey

·                     Christmas Social – Di would investigate for availability - Top Golf on 12 December 2017. Secret Santa and Christmas Jumpers to be worn.

To note that the next meeting will be held on Tuesday 5 December 2017 at 19.15 – 20.45 at the Civic Offices.

To note that the next meeting will be held on Tuesday 5 December 2017 at 19.15 – 20.45 at the Civic Offices.