Agenda and minutes

At the last meeting it was agreed that Blake would chair this meeting. Oliver would be Vice-Chairman.

It was noted that Blake would be Chairman and Oliver would be the Vice-Chairman for this meeting.

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 March 2017 be taken as read by the Chairman as a correct record.

To receive a presentation from Hayley Gilliam regarding the Big White Wall project. 

Hayley Gilliam had sent her apologies for this meeting.

ACTION: Di to contact Hayley to rearrange the Big White Wall project attending a future meeting.  

The YEA and EFYC to make a short presentation to each other about their roles and work.

Jude gave a short introduction and presentation about the Epping Forest Youth Council (EFYC) and their achievements, consultations that they had been involved in, training and other ways they represent young people in the community.

Tracy Marshall, the Youth and Community Based Commissioner advised that they were considering an event in Local Democracy Week, later in 2017 and  Mental Health issues were also a priority and they would love to work together.

Megan advised that there were 75 seats available for the Young Essex Assembly (YEA) and the recent elections in December 2016, had resulted in 10 vacant seats. The different project groups met once a month on the first Saturday and normally consisted of 12 members. There were two full time officers and they aimed to contact the YEA members once a week, along with meeting with YEA Members for project and sub-groups. The British Youth Council had taken 10 members to Kent for a residential who had been elected as the Youth Parliament Members for Essex. The YEA would like to work together where possible with EFYC and Louis advised that EFYC had  just set up a Skype account, so that EFYC could keep in touch. The YEA were also looking into Skype and invited EFYC to a future YEA meeting in Chelmsford.

Di advised that the EFYC had been recently elected and members had highlighted  Drugs and Illegal Highs as a future project and concern of young people. Previously, EFYC had included a member who was also a YEA member, although this had not happen this year. She advised that Epping YEA members were welcome to EFYC meetings as a way of feeding back on information between the two groups. Di advised that EFYC had been through a Task and Finish Panel regarding the Youth Engagement and the future of the Youth Council. They had convinced the adult councillors that the Youth Council had been a great addition to the Council and were currently engaging with 7000 pupils with the MiLife Roadshow, which promoted positive mental health in secondary schools. The MiLife partnership was supported by EFDC, ECC, Red Balloon Family and NELET NHS.

The Chairman thanked the YEA for attending and invited them to stay for the remaining items. 

Youth Councillors to report on any updates from their schools/college.

Youth Councillors gave feedback on relevant information from their schools;

Davenant Foundation School - Alex T advised that he would be attending the school council to discuss the location of the suggestion box and the school was carrying out some volunteering.

Debden Park High School – Ashwin advised that pupils were taking their GCSE options and Reality Roadshow had attended the school with training on depression, sexual health, exam stress and internet safety.

Epping St John’s School – Annabelle advised that 6 pupils had been selected for the  Jack Petchey ‘Speak Out’ competition, who would now have to be reduced to 2 and present in front of the 7 year pupils. Marley advised that the year 11 pupils were raising money for their prom, GCSE selection had taken place and locations for the suggestion box were being looked into.

King Harold Business & Enterprise Academy - Lisa advised that they had received revision tips and techniques.

Roding Valley High School – Maitland advised that there had been recent problems in school and teacher were now wearing hazard vests, so that they could be visible and the Head Teacher had left.

Youth Councillors to feedback on events they have attended since the last meeting.

Youth Councillors gave Feedback on Events/Meetings that they had attended since the last meeting;

·         Communities Select Committee – Annabelle advised that along with Finlay, Zach and Lisa, they had made a presentation on the EFYC work and achievements over that last year and what would they potentially use the £5,000 project funding for next year. Furthermore, the Select Committee would be recommending the Co-option of a Youth Council Representative to the Communities Select Committee from 2017/18 and that the representative be either one person or a rotating representative, as agreed by the Youth Council.

Members interested in taking on this role were Charley Raajveer, Annabelle, Blake, Alex T and Ashwin. They were all asked to state to the group why they would like this additional role. It was discussed that two representatives would enable them to support each other at meetings. All members voted and Di advised that the results would be emailed to members.

AGREED that the same Youth Councillor would attend and two representatives would be selected.

·         The Chairman’s Civic Awards – Ashwin advised that he, Marley, Finlay and Lisa had attended the event on Friday 17 March 2017. Councillor R Bassett had given a tribute to the Youth Councillors and recognising their work within the community.

·         Motiv8 – Lisa Regan, Suzie and Annabelle had attended the event which showcased youth dance. It had been held at Epping Forest College and had been well attended and very professional.

·         Hate Crime Awareness Training – Finlay advised that they had received a Police training session on hate crime.

·         Crime Stopper Training – The Youth Council had received further training about crime stoppers and what crimes could be reported anonymously.

To update on any progress.

Di advised that the Youth Council would be celebrating their 10^th Anniversary in 2018 and officers had decided to mark that occasion by inviting all of the previous Youth Councillors back to celebrate and find out what they were now doing. Currently Di and Louis were looking at venues around the District that could accommodate the number of people and were considering North Weald Airfield, Woolston Manor, Chigwell Hall and the Houses of Parliament.

Youth Councillors discussed the options and preferred Woolston Manor or the Houses of Parliament. Raajveer advised that Youth Councillors could raise money towards the event.

AGREED that all Youth Councillors be involved in the project group for the celebrations and that Di would report back on the venues at the next meeting. Any ideas should be sent through the Youth Council WhatsApp group.

To report back on arrangements for the speed meeting event on Monday 3 July 2017.

Louis advised that the Speed Meeting event between adult Councillors, Senior Officers and Youth Councillors would be on Monday 3 July 2017.

ACTION that any adult Councillors interested in attending the event to email Louis (lwalton@eppingforestdc.gov.uk)  

To consider Local Democracy Week and the potential of a conference.

Di advised that in support of Local Democracy Week (Monday 13November 2017) the Youth Council would be organising a Youth Conference on Friday 3 November at the Civic Offices.

ACTION that all Youth Councillors inform their schools about this date.

Big White Wall - Di advised that they would contact the Big White Wall project to come to a future meeting.

AGREED that Di would contact the Big White Wall Project for another date.

Epping Forest College – The Principal, S Famili and Deputy Principal P Hall would like to attend the Youth Council meeting on 6 June 2017 to talk about developing the college provision.

AGREED that Epping Forest College would be invited to the meeting on 6 June 2017.

Essex Police - Clare Rawlins would like to attend a future meeting to present the Youth Councillors wit their Hate Crime Ambassadors certificates.

AGREED that Di would arrange a date with Essex Police.

Items of business for consideration at future meetings;

·         Transport for young people;

·         Youth Council Conference;

·         Cyber Bullying;

·         Drug & Alcohol Misuse;

·         Stopping cuts to the NHS;

·         Weapons in Schools/Colleges;

·         First Aid Training for young people;

·         Bullying Awareness; and

·         Young Carers (10-18yrs old).

Raajveer asked that substitute teachers be raised for discussion at the next meeting.

Maitland advised that he would like to promote the ‘Fearless’ project in Loughton and Epping.

Annabelle had acquired presentation skills from the recent Jack Petchey Speak Out event and would like to do a short training session on public speaking with the other Youth Councillors.

(a)          Notices by Diane;

(b)          Notices by Louis;

(c)          Any other Notices; and

(d)          Youth Councillor Notices.

Notices by Youth Councillors;

·                     Raajveer advised that he would attend his school council and report on the Youth Council.

·                     Finlay advised that NELF were currently looking at social media and how it could be used to improve the service and he would report back to members with further information.

Notices by Louis;

·                     Display Boards - A pack for Youth Councillors to take into the school for their display boards was ready for collection from Louis.

·                     Evaluation Forms – Louis asked for the feedback forms to be completed for the recent training events attended.

·                     ‘Getting to Know You’ for the website – Louis asked the following Youth Councillors to complete their ‘Getting to Know You’ statements so that they could be included in the Youth Councillors profile and website. The Following Youth Councillors needed to complete this Davin Chris, Sam Adam Ashwin, Nina and Annabelle.

Notices by Di

·                     One to One Meetings – All Youth Councillors would be asked to meet with Di/Louis for a one to one. This would be for about 30 minutes, to discuss how it was going, if there were any concerns or worries and how the officers if required could be supportive.

ACTION: All Youth Councillors should notify Di/Louis if they were unable to attend the allocated time slots set out in the diary sheets.

·                     MiLife Roadshow – Special thanks to Maitland, Raajveer and Sam for support at the roadshow in Roding Valley High School. The MiLife Roadshow would be at West Hatch on 11 May 2017 and dates were still required for King Harold.

AGREED that Lisa would chase the school for a date.

·                     Reality Roadshow – The Reality Roadshow had recent attended Debden High School and future dates for Davenant on 26 April 2017 , Epping St John’s on 10 July and King Harold on 17 July 2017 had be arranged.

·                     Mental Health First (Aid MHFA) – Youth Councillors Raajveer, Lisa, Nina, Alex H, Susie, Ashwin, Belle and Marley had all obtained certificates for this training and they were presented to the Youth Councillors in attendance.

·                     Jack Petchey Nominations – Youth Councillors were asked to nominate a Youth Councillor for the reward, which recognises an individual for outstanding work and achievements. The winner would be announced at the next meeting.

To note that the next meeting will be held on Tuesday 2 May 2017 at 19.00 – 21.00 at the Civic Offices.

To note that the next meeting would be held on Tuesday 2 May 2017 at 19.00 – 21.00 in the Council Chamber, Civic Offices.