Agenda and minutes

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Items
No. Item

YC.2

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

YC.3

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING pdf icon PDF 48 KB

The Minutes of the last Meeting held on 8 February 2016 are attached.

Minutes:

It was agreed:

 

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 8 February 2016 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

YC.4

MATTERS ARISING

Minutes:

There were no matters arising from the Minutes.

YC.5

NATIONAL CITIZENSHIP SERVICE

Aiden Stonehouse will attend the meeting to explain what the NCS is and what it has to offer the Youth Cabinet Members.

Minutes:

 Aiden Stonehouse, representing the National Citizenship Service attended the meeting to explain what the NCS is and what it has to offer Youth Cabinet members.

 

It was explained that the NCS is a government backed programme for 15 – 17 year olds which brings people together over the summer.

 

The first week is an outward bounds week at an outdoor activity centre where the young people will meet. There will be groups of 12 – 15 young people in each group who also live together in the outdoor activity centre. The activities include archery, rock climbing, hiking and canoeing and are aimed at promoting teamwork and providing a challenge in a fun, adrenaline fuelled setting.

 

The second week is a residential in university style accommodation where the young people will have to look after themselves whilst learning and developing new skills as well as life skills. There will be the opportunity to meet with important people from the local community who will help to develop talents and help to find new ones. The skills learnt will include leadership, teamwork and communication and also a range of other opportunities such as photography, football coaching, first aid or how to set up your own business.

 

Weeks three and four are when the skills learnt in the previous weeks are put to use and the groups put together their own social action project with support from local community partners.

 

At the end of the four weeks is the graduation which brings the young people into the NCS family. Membership gives exclusive access to volunteering opportunities and apprenticeships as well as discounts to big events.

 

Completing NCS is a good addition to a CV and is recognised by UCAS.

 

It was explained that there were 330 available places in Bury and the cost to participate was £50 per person for the whole experience with the rest of the costs being funded by the Government.

 

Those present were given the opportunity to ask questions and the following points were raised:-

 

·         How do young people sign up for the experience.

 

It was explained that there was a website where you could sign up to participate and the NCS would be visiting schools to help young people sign up.

 

·         How is the NCS different from the Duke of Edinburgh award or the Prince’s Trust.

 

It was explained that they were similar in offering support and opportunities to young people but were not directly linked. The NCS looked at developing skills to help young people become more confident and to improve their social actions.

 

It was agreed:

 

That Aiden be thanked for his presentation.

 

 

YC.6

BRATHAY RESIDENTIAL AND YOUTHFORIA

Bilal and Emily will give an update at the meeting.

Minutes:

Bilal and Emily reported that they had attended the Brathay residential event which had been arranged by Youthforia North West and held at Brathay in Windermere. The event was held over 3 days and brought together members from different North West Youth Councils, Cabinets and Forums.

 

There had been a number of different workshops over the course of the weekend looking at a range of different topics including mental health and how young people affected by mental health issues would like to be treated. 

 

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party, Tim Fallon had attended to answer questions and talk about being an MP.

 

There was a debate in relation to the European referendum and whether England should be in or out of Europe and there were lots of fun activities and group exercises.

 

The next residential was due to take place in October 2016.

 

It was reported that the last Youthforia had been held in Warrington.

 

There had been a number of workshops including the ‘you’re welcome’ workshop which had focussed on how young people accessing healthcare were treated and how they would like to be treated. Mental health services had been discussed and a video shown and there had been a piece of work focussed on the Oldham CAMHS transition strategy and how young people could get involved.

 

Other areas of health provision had been discussed in relation to social media, consultations, strengthening communication between health services.

 

It was agreed:

 

That Emily and Bilal be thanked for their update.

 

 

 

 

YC.7

CIRCLES OF INFLUENCE

Minutes:

It was reported that the next Circles of Influence would be taking place on 29 June.

 

Circles of Influence is a conference which young people attend to talk with decision makers.

 

It was explained that the Youth Cabinet members attend the event to run activities throughout the day which should highlight how young people feel about life in Bury.

 

Last year the event had focussed on five themes;

 

Young people facing additional barriers

Places to go

Education

Health

Culture

 

Those present were asked to consider the themes from last year and discuss whether they would like different themes for the next event.

 

It was agreed:

 

That the information be noted.

 

 

YC.8

DON'T HATE, EDUCATE CAMPAIGN

An update will be given at the meeting  

Minutes:

Bilal updated the Youth Cabinet on the plan for the Don’t Hate, Educate campaign.

 

A survey would be carried out asking what people wanted to know about different religions and whether they had ever felt discriminated against. The information collected will then be used to produce posters and adverts for radio and articles in newspapers.

 

Each school will be asked to select one champion per year group who will attend an event which will educate them on the issues. The idea will be for each school to put on an assembly or some other event to promote the campaign with the school champions leading.

 

Following the event each school will be ask to give feedback on what they learned.

 

It was agreed:

 

That the update be noted

YC.9

THE BIG YOUTH DEBATE - YOUTH ON EUROPE

Minutes:

It was reported that the Youth Cabinet were holding a big youth debate on Thursday 16 June.

 

The debate is titled ‘Youth on Europe’ and all schools had been invited to send representatives along to take part.

 

It was also reported that Councillor had been invited to attend as support for the young people.

 

YC.10

YOUTH ISSUES UPDATE

Minutes:

It was reported that Connexions were in the process of recruiting a new personal advisor. There would be a young persons’ panel who would take part in the interview process. If any of the young people wanted to sit on the panel they were asked to contact Heather.

 

It was also reported that a new Assistant Director (Learning and Culture) had been appointed and would be taking up her position in June.

 

Heather explained that this would be Adele’s last meeting of Youth Cabinet before she went on Maternity Leave.

 

It was agreed:

 

1. That the information be noted.

 

2. That the Youth Cabinet wish Adele well for her forthcoming maternity leave.