Agenda and minutes

Councillor Members of the Youth Cabinet are asked whether they have an interest in any item on the agenda and if so to formally declare that interest.

There were no interests declared by those Members present at the meeting.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 15 June 2015 are attached.

It was agreed:

That the Minutes of the last meeting held on 15 June 2015 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Further to Minute YC.3 of the last meeting of the Youth Cabinet held on 15 June 2015, with reference to the letter that had been written by two of its youth members on behalf of the Cabinet.

The letter was asking two pound shops in Bury Town centre to explain their policy to refuse entry to more than two young people in school uniform at any one time.

The Cabinet asked whether the letter had been sent and it was confirmed that it had.

Further to Minute YC.4 of the minutes of the last meeting, those present were reminded that the Walking Rainbow would be taking place on Sunday 12 July from 12.30pm onwards.

An update will be given at the meeting.

It was reported that the secondary/tertiary age Circles of Influence had taken place on Monday 22 June and the Primary age Circles of Influence had been during the week commencing 8 June.

The events had brought together young people from across the borough and given them the opportunity to discuss issues relating to them and their peers. They also allowed for questioning of decision makers and officers from all different organisations across the borough.

The High School Circles of Influence worked around 5 different themes:-

·         Education

·         Health

·         Places to Go

·         Culture

·         Additional Barriers

The following issues had been highlighted under each topic:-

Education - life skills, practical housekeeping, budgeting, skills for independence, preparation for work.

Health – Mental health – reducing the stigma, drugs and awareness of current trends such as novel psychoactive substances (more commonly called legal highs), e-cigarettes and their use amongst young people.

Culture – online safety, all young people should have to undertake an e-safety course, mentoring, confidentiality.

Additional barriers – cohesion, bridging the gaps, volunteering opportunities for under 18s

Councillor O’Brien had attended the event and reported that he felt there had been a good turnout and the discussions had been positive. He had been impressed with the group work that had taken place.

It was explained that a report from each of the events would be produced and these would be presented to a future meeting of the Youth Cabinet.

Kate thanked all those present who had attended the Circles of influence event and contributed to the day and those that had helped to facilitate at the Primary event.

Bilal Qureshi, Bury’s Member of Youth Parliament reported that he had been asked to help with the UKYPs campaign relating to mental health.

Bilal explained that he had been asked to complete a form setting out what services Bury schools offer to support young people in relation to mental health.

Bilal asked those present to come up with some questions that could be included in a questionnaire and then sent to all Bury high schools pastoral teams.

Those present were asked to give feedback and the following questions were suggested:-

·         What support is available in your school?

·         Is there a trained counsellor in your school?

·         If yes, how many hours of support do they provide per week?

·         How to pupils access the services available?

·         How do you make people aware of what help and support is available/

It was agreed:

That Kate would produce the questionnaire based on the questions set out and forward to the schools.

THE BRITISH MONARCHY SHOULD BE ABOLISHED

Monarchy is rule by an individual who is royal, and the system is usually hereditary. The term monarchy derives from the Greek, monos arkhein, meaning 'one ruler'.

The British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, is the Sovereign and Head of State of the UK and its overseas territories. The monarch, referred to in the abstract as 'The Crown', is the source of all legislative and executive power.

Since Henry VIII, the British monarch is also Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

The British monarch is also the Head of the Commonwealth, and the head of state in 16 of the 54 Commonwealth member countries.

The British political system is a 'constitutional monarchy': the supreme power held by the monarch is largely ceremonial and formal, with actual political power exercised by others.

The British Monarchy

All of the young people present were asked to decide whether they felt that the British Monarchy should be abolished

A debate took place with a vote at the end and the majority agreed that the British Monarchy should be retained.

It was agreed:

That the debate at the next meeting of the Youth Cabinet would be:

Are university fees in the UK fair and should they be kept or abolished?

The next meeting of the Youth Cabinet will held on Tuesday 20 October at 5pm in the Council Chamber (Food from 4.30pm in the Balcony Bar).

The next meeting of the Youth Cabinet will be held on Tuesday 20 October 2-015 at 5pm in the Council Chamber (food available from 4.30pm in the Balcony Bar).