Issue - meetings

The Members of Youth Parliament began their two-year term of office on 1^st March 2022.

This report outlines the Members of Youth Parliament’s work to date and their national and local priorities and plans

The Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The MYPs began their two-year term of office on 1^st March 2022.

The report outlined the MYPs work to date and their national and local priorities and plans.

The MYPs concluded their presentation by requesting Committee Members put the 11 October 2022 in their diaries for a participation workshop about heightening engagement between elected Members and the young people of BCP.

The Committee discussed the report and comments were made, including:

• The Chair agreed about the need to get young people involved with politics and in response to a query about what could be done, the Committee was advised that basic political education should be part of the national curriculum within PHSE.  The Chair followed up that it would be interesting to know how many schools across BCP provided political education within its PHSE. ACTION
• An Officer highlighted the importance of hearing young people’s voices across all BCP services and how that would heighten interest of the young people in local politics with visits to schools by local elected members also discussed
• One of the MYPs talked about the area they lived in and how local politics was not looked upon favourably but that believed that through education and increased awareness, it could bring about positive change to local issues
• A Committee Member expressed gratefulness to the MYPs for their enthusiasm and drive and advised they would help in any way
• A Committee Member advised of the Lead Member for engagement and requested that the MYPs contact them to help with their projects and goals. ACTION
• In response to a query regarding the MYP elections and how some schools do not engage with the process, the promotion and increased awareness of the MYPs role and elections across BCP was discussed
• A Committee Member highlighted a possible connection with local youth organisations in addition to schools to increase awareness
• A Committee Member referred to the five campaigns which the MYPs had been chosen and to the difference the campaigns would make to the young people across BCP.
• In response to a query regarding equality for minorities a Committee Member expressed their interest on working alongside the MYPs with that campaign. ACTION
• A Committee Member highlighted a local resident who frequently visited schools to discuss faiths and the possibility of a visit to Westminster for any interested young people

The Chair summarised the discussion as follows:

• Participation event on 11 October 2022.
• Engagement of young people and how to encourage schools to do more
• Five campaigns
• The Chair concluded by saying to the MYPs to take every little victory throughout their campaign journey.

RESOLVED that the Committee note the report.