Agenda and minutes

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

It was noted that Belle would be the Chairman and Zach would be the Vice-Chairman for this meeting.

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 June 2017 be taken as a correct record.

To present the Jack Petchey Award.

Belle advised that almost 2,000 schools, colleges and youth organisations throughout London and Essex were part of the Jack Petchey scheme. The scheme was a reward and recognition initiative which enabled schools and youth organisations to celebrate the achievements of their young people as well as receive additional funding. Award winners received a cheque for £300 to spend on a project that would benefit the group and also receive a framed certificate and badge.

The award tonight goes to Matthew Robinson-Jayes. Matt had been a volunteer with the Epping Forest inclusion project for 8 years, had just started working as one of the community activity workers and has been a Essex All Together ambassador since February 2017. Matt ran the Twitter page for the Epping Forest Sportability Club and also worked with the Communities’ Team to deliver the Reality Roadshow at Davenant Foundation School.

The Epping Town Partnership thanked the Youth Council for their fantastic contribution to the Youth Market and fund raising event. Young Trading certifications were presented to Marley Chick, Adam Freeman, Nina Honey, Finlay Jordan, Jacob McNulty and Annabelle Yaman, on behalf of the Mayor of Epping, Mr Anthony Church.

To report on the presentation to Members before Full Council on 26 September 2017.

Di advised that the Youth Council had been invited to give a presentation to Members regarding their achievements since becoming a Youth Councillor. This would take place before full Council on Tuesday 26 September at 6pm in Committee room 1.

Adam, Annabelle, Alex T, Suzannah, Christopher and Charley had all expressed an interest to present to the councillors and although there would be limited spaces to speak, all Youth Councillors were welcome to give their support.

To report on arrangements for the Youth Conference on Friday 3 November 2017.

Di asked Youth Councillors to confirm or speak with their teacher regarding the schools attendance to their Youth Conference on Friday 3 November 2017. Forms had been sent to their schools and another form had been given to Youth Councillors.

ACTION: ALL YOUTH COUNCILLORS to speak with the teachers to confirm attendance and the number and details of the pupils attending on the day.

Youth Councillors discussed ideas for the debate which included North Korea, GCSE exam system, the NHS and the Police. Youth Councillors decided that they would continue the discussion and decide through their WhatsApp group.

To report on the Drug Awareness project.

Finlay reported on the progress of the Drugs Awareness Poster Campaign and the  two posters that had been produced.

Youth Councillors discussed the posters and information that was being collated to support their project. Di raised concerns with the launch date being 3 November 2017 and whether this could be achieved; although Youth Councillors felt that the project could still be launched at the conference, to obtain buy in from the schools. The majority of comments felt that some of the information on the posters could be misinterpreted and was not necessarily direct or visual enough to prevent and inform their target audience.

Youth Councillors discussed ways of increasing the amount of data and tried to identify the easiest ways to collect the information from each school. It was felt that data collection could be varied but would not produce data which could be compared.

ACTION: DI and ABIGAIL to circulate a link to the survey which was currently being promoted.

ACTION: ALL YOUTH COUNCILLORS to send comments through WhatsApp regarding the drugs awareness posters.

To report on arrangements for the 10^th Anniversary Event.

Di advised that the Epping Forest MP, Eleanor Laing had put two dates forward in a ballot, to obtain a room at Portcullis House, part of the Parliamentary Estate for the 10^th Anniversary. These dates had been confirmed as 4^th and 11^th July 2018, although Di would not know whether the Youth Council had been successful until January 2018, therefore the Civic Offices would be kept in the reserve.

Annabelle and/or Ashwin to report on the last meeting attended.

Annabelle was currently attending the Communities Select Committee that evening and would report back. Ashwin would be attending the meeting on 8 October 2017.

Youth Councillors to feedback on the event on 4 July 2017.

Belle advised that the evening was well received with 12 adult councillors and senior officers taking part. Congratulations went to Councillor Breare-Hall and Councillor Beales who won the best communication prize, along with Youth Councillors Suzannah Halcrow and Adam Freeman.

Youth Councillors to report on achievements, events and training that they have accomplished since the last meeting.

Belle asked Youth Councillors to feedback about their progress as Youth Councillors now that their training had been completed and the project work had begun. Everyone had been asked to think back to why they had put themselves forward for election, what they wanted to achieve and whether they had achieved it yet; and  what contribution they had made to theEpping Forest Youth Council.

Everyone went through their election pledges and how they were working towards the goals they had set themselves.    

1.            The Big White Wall

The Big White Wall was an on-line counselling service, working with the 16+ age and they would be supporting the work of the Mi Life project.

Di had invited the Big White Wall to the October Youth Council meeting.

2.            Children’s Society

Emily from the Children’s Society would like to talk to the Youth Council about their work because EFYC had chosen them as their charity of the year.

3.            Police Cadets

The Epping Forest Police Cadets had asked to talk to the Youth Council about themselves and what they do.

AGREED that DI would make further arrangements with the above groups for the next meeting.

(a)          Notices by Diane;

(b)          Notices by Louis;

(c)          Any other Notices; and

(d)          Youth Councillor Notices.

a)            Event Feedback

Davin advised that some of the Youth Councillors had completed a litter pick in the Forest and local Car Parks in Epping Forest.

Finlay advised that the Listening Bench, which would allow people to sit on the bench and listen to 6 memories would be installed in Epping St John’s churchyard and he would advise the launch date shortly.

b)            Notices by Di

One to Ones – Di asked the following Youth Councillors to arrange an appointment with herself or Louis after school for a one-to-one chat on their progress and to answer any questions;

Adam, Alex H, Ashwin, Belle, Blake, Charley, Christopher, Jacob, Jess, Lisa, Maitland, Marley, Sam, Suzie and Zach.

Diary Sheets – Di advised that the update diary sheets were on their desks.

Updates to Schools – Di confirmed that the following Youth Councillors had now changed schools following the Summer Term. Suzie was now at Trinity Catholic High School, Regan was now at Hertford Regional College and Charley, Lisa and Adam were at Davenant Foundation.

c)            Notices by Gaby

Attendance – Gaby advised that Youth Councillors were requested to contact either Louis or Di, if they were unable to attend meetings or training events. The attendance of Youth Councillors was being monitored and anyone dropping below 50% would be contacted.

To note that the next meeting will be held on Tuesday 3 October at 19.15 – 20.45 at the Civic Offices.

To note that the next meeting would be held on Tuesday 3 October 2017 at 19.15 – 20.45, Council Chamber, Civic Offices.