Issue - meetings

This report summarises the activity and outcomes achieved by the members of Youth Parliament in 2022/23 and outlines the intended work to the end of their term in March 2024.

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

The report summarised the activity and outcomes achieved by the members of Youth Parliament in 2022/23 and outlined the intended work to the end of their term in March 2024.

The Committee considered the report and made the following comments:

• The Committee were grateful for the report and very impressed by the work that the MYPs had undertaken.
• In response to a query, the Committee was advised of the need to really engage in any way possible with the new MYPs including providing contact details and links with others who can help them assist in their aims.
• A Member advised that they undertook youth surgeries within schools and she advised she would make contact with the MYPs to discuss further. ACTION.
• In response to a query regarding a handover period, the Committee was advised of the process of recruiting the new MYPs and how the outgoing MYPs would support that process.
• In response to a query about the work done regarding PHSE in schools, the Committee was advised that politics was not taught enough within schools and there was some discussion about how this could be increased without having any political bias and the MYP advised he felt that it was not just a local issue, but a national issue which needed progression.
• The Chair highlighted the MYPs gratitude for the Corporate Director of Children’s Services and the support she had provided them.
• In response to a query regarding the MYPs lack of connection with the rest of the Council services, the Chair advised she felt that they needed links to the staff network groups and to further promote the work they had done.
•  An MYP highlighted that whilst their term as an MYP would end, they would still be happy to be involved in any way possible.
• The Participation Worker advised of the potential work which the MYPs could continue to do post 18 once their term had ended, which included a range of national opportunities.  The Committee was also advised of some of the children in care and care experienced young people who were part of national schemes ran by the National Careleavers Benchmarking Forum and the Family Youth Justice Board.

It is RECOMMENDED that the Board note the information provided in the report and support the intended activity and outcomes outlined for 2023/24 and added a vote of thanks and recognition for all the work the MYPs had undertaken.