Issue - meetings

The purpose of this report is update Members on the roles of MYP and to consider items being championed by the newly elected Youth Parliament members. These are:

·         Young People and Covid

·         Environment

·         Knife Crime

·         Mental Health

·         PHSE

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

The purpose of the report was to update the Committee on the roles of the MYPs and to consider items being championed by the newly elected MYPs. These were detailed by the MYPs as young people and Covid, the environment, knife crime, mental health and Person Health, Social and Economic Education (PHSE).

The MYPs also highlighted work they had been undertaking during lockdown which included a newsletter, videos about what they had been doing during lockdown and setting up an Instagram account.

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

·       A Member praised the amazing work that had been undertaken, including the newsletter which must have been greatly received.

·       In response to a query what ‘C Cards’ were, the Committee was advised it referred to ‘Condom cards’ and their purpose was detailed which would make it easier for young people to access them.

·       In response to a query on how the areas on focus were decided on, the Committee was advised of the process whereby young people picked their most important issues, each candidate would then campaign on three of the topics and then once elected would finalise their chosen campaigns.

·       The Portfolio Holder thanked the MYPs for all their work and advised she felt it would be beneficial to provide them with a budget to help them promote their campaigns

·       In response to a query about how many MYPs the BCP Council were allocated, the Committee was advised that the number of MYPs was worked out by the population of 11-18 year olds across the conurbation. 

·       The Chairman congratulated them on their newsletters and videos and requested that future ones be circulated to the Committee for their information.

·       A Committee Member requested that the Committee should promote the MYPs Instagram account.

It was Proposed and Seconded that the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee request that the MYPs be provided a budget to assist them with their work and campaigns.

The Chairman summarised the discussions as follows, the Committee:

·       Was very impressed with the work undertaken so far

·       Now knew what C Cards were

·       Requested a budget be provided to the MYPs to assist with their campaigns and agreement that they should be co-opted as Members of the Committee.

RESOLVED THAT Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee

·       approve the Youth Parliament Member’s position as Co-opted Members on the Committee and welcome close work with them, their Deputies and the Chairman and Vice Chairman to help shape the Committee’s Forward Plan.

·       Request consideration be given to providing the MYPs with a budget to assist them with their campaigns.