Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were noted above.

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

There were no declarations of interest recorded at the meeting.

The Minutes of the last meeting held on 15 October 2024 are attached.

It was agreed:

That the minutes of the last meeting be recorded as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Circles of Influence

Heather Walton reported that the Circles of Influence event had taken place on 9 November 2024 and 60 young people from across the boroughs high schools had attended.

The key findings that were raised on the day had been analysed to create 9 key findings and recommendations which would be shared with the Young People’s Strategic Partnership Board to reflect on and action accordingly.

Jeanette Richards explained that the governance arrangements of children’s services were in the process of being reviewed and the Children’s Strategic Partnership had been stood down for 3 months. Jeanette explained that the roll out of early help and multi agency hubs was a priority. Jeanette explained that she would speak with the senior leadership group to discuss where each action would sit and who would be responsible for each one.

Those present reviewed the key findings and actions from them and the following points were raised:-

·         In reference to key finding number 3 it was asked what Trauma Informed Practice was.

It was explained that implementing a trauma-informed approach in schools ensures the whole school is aware of adversity, trauma, and resilience. It ensures there is a commitment to creating a safe, welcoming, and nurturing environment through policies, procedures, and practice.

Trauma-informed care aims to promote feelings of psychological safety, choice, and control. Every contact with a student and their caregiver(s) matters. It is important that staff put the child at the centre of their care – this can be done by ensuring all individuals feel seen, heard, and cared for. By realising and recognising the impact and symptoms of trauma, schools can create welcoming, safe, and nurturing environments that support trauma-informed approaches to practice and avoid re-traumatisation of children, staff, and caregivers.

With regard to concerns raised around knife crime, it was explained that the work in relation to ‘A knife not a life’ initiative had started.

·         In reference to key finding 7 in relation to mental health it was asked whether the mental health checks recommended in schools had started and who was responsible for them.

Councillor Smith stated that she would enquire as to whether this was being done.

Heather explained that there was an ongoing conversation with health providers and identifying what young people wanted. A report was due to be completed by the end of February.

·         Key finding number 6 referred to public transport being more accessible and safer for young people to use and it was suggested that there should be young people representation on the Bee Network Committee.

Co-production Kite Mark

Heather Walton gave an update on the Co-production Kite Mark and reported that the 1^st organisation was due to be assessed on 18 February.  The young people involved would look at the organisation’s application, score it and then produce some questions that would be used in the final assessment.

Heather thanked all those involved in the process for their hard work.

Youthforia – Update

It was explained that Youthforia conferences were arranged  ...  view the full minutes text for item YC.4

The Youth Cabinet motion was passed at full Council on the 20 March 2024. The motion was around vaping which was one of the main issues for young people from the Circles of Safety Event.

The Council had agreed that the Youth Cabinet should looking for funding to commission an artist to build a sculpture with discarded vapes to use as a part of a wider education programme delivered by Bury Youth Service.

The artist commissioned to complete the sculpture will attend to update Youth Cabinet on the progress made.

In March 2024 Members of the Youth Cabinet had presented a Notice of Motion to the Council seeking their support to fund an artist to build a sculpture using discarded vapes to show the concerns raised by young people across the borough in relation to the increasing amount of young people vaping and the negative impact this has in many areas of a young person’s lives.

As part of the motion, the Youth Cabinet had asked that funds be made available to commission an artist to work with young people to build a sculpture which would then be used as part of a wider education programme delivered by Bury Youth Service.

Adele Crowshaw introduced local artist Mez, and explained that she had been working with groups of young people for the past few weeks. Mez and the young people had been working sculpture made from braided willow which would form the branches which would then be joined to discarded vapes which would form the body of the tree.

Those present were asked to join Mez to braid some willow.

It was explained that the sculpture would be displayed would be taken from school to school to be displayed and form a focal point for and assembly to highlight the concerns raised by young people vaping.

It was also suggested that it could be displayed in the Town Hall when it had been used at the schools.

It was agreed:

That the update be noted.

The Youth Cabinet may submit a motion to be considered at a meeting of Council .

The previous motion was submitted in March 2024 in relation to vaping – attached for information.

The Youth Cabinet are invited to submit a Motion to Council at the meeting being held on 19 March 2025 at 7pm.

Members of the Youth Cabinet are asked to decide on the motion to be submitted, and the contents of it and confirm who will attend the meeting to present the Motion.

The Youth Cabinet were invited to submit a Notice of Motion to the meeting of Council which was taking place on 19 March 2025. It was explained that they would need to develop a motion that would then be presented to the Council by two members of the Youth Cabinet.

Those present were asked for their suggestions as to what the motion should be and it was agreed that the motion should be relating to making sure that all young people in Bury have a voice and are listened to.

The discussion included:-

• Improving Youth Voice in Bury and strengthening each locality.
• Establishing a Youth Voice Network
• Look at how schools link to Youth Cabinet and how this can be strengthened
• Consider how to include home schooled young people and make sure they are aware of the youth provision available to them
• Consider where youth provision is located geographically and look to ensure an even spread.

It was agreed:

That the Youth Participation team would work with young people to produce a motion to be presented by the Youth Cabinet at the meeting of Council in March.

An update will be given at the meeting.

Samir reported that he would be going to the Houses of Parliament on 28 February and was in the process of preparing a speech in relation to youth poverty and knife crime and different experiences across the country.

He would be invited to take part in the debates which were in relation to the living wage and public transport.

Samir had attended the Select Committee in relation to youth violence and social media.

The Youth Members of the Youth Cabinet will be asked to decide a topic for the Big Debate.

The Debate will be held and voted on.

Should Autism be classed as a disability?

Youth Cabinet members took part in the debate, there was a side for and against.

It was agreed by a majority vote that Autism should be classed as a disability

It was agreed:

The next debate topic is: Should Glossop be allowed to remove itself from Derbyshire and become part of Greater Manchester

It was requested that the Youth Cabinet have more involvement with local leaders and that the Leader of the Council be invited to the next meeting of Youth Cabinet being held on 1 April 2025.