Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Chairman and Vice-Chairman for this meeting.

It was noted that Abigail would be Chairman and Jessica would be Vice Chairman.

The Chairman welcomed the guests Councillors H Kane, S Kane, D Wixley and the Chairman of the Council Councillor R Bassett.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2018 were a correct record.

To consider matters arsing from the last meeting.

There had been no matters arising from the previous meeting.

Following the Full Council meeting on 31 July 2018, Councillor D Wixley asked the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Community Services, Councillor H Kane to discuss the issues relating to the use of nitrous oxide canisters with the Youth Council and the Police.

Youth Councillors were asked whether they had any suggestions concerning these issues and whether they would be willing to lobby the relative authorities to change the legislation on the vetting of the distribution.

Councillors H Kane and D Wixley had been invited to this meeting.

Abigail welcomed Councillors H Kane, S Kane and D Wixley to the Youth Council meeting.

Abigail advised that following a Youth Consultation at the Epping Forest Youth Conference 2017, drugs had been deemed as one of the major issues facing young people in the district. Following this, the Youth Council decided to undertake a litter pick  and cleaned up over 550 laughing gas canisters in Epping Forest, Traps Hill, Loughton and Cornmill Lane, Waltham Abbey carparks.

Furthermore, the Youth Council decided to conduct an anonymous drugs survey with pupils attending secondary schools in the district. The information contained data from over 3000 pupils and would be collated into a report that would be shared with the relevant partners. In addition, a Youth Councillor had designed a poster called ‘Don’t Open the Gate to Gateway Drugs’, which would be displayed on the rear of five Arriva buses that would travel across the county, passing through Buckhurst Hill, Loughton, Debden, Epping Forest, St Margaret’s, Upshire and Waltham Abbey for the next 3 months.

Councillor D Wixley advised that following the information contained within the Leisure and Community Services Portfolio Holder’s Report to Council in September 2018, he had concerns over the legislation and selling of the Nitrous Oxide (N20) canisters. He had suggested making a motion to Council, in order to petition the Government on the legislation surrounding the suppliers of the N20 canisters. The Portfolio Holders for Leisure and Community Services and Safer, Greener & Transport supported Councillor Wixley’s concerns and it was resolved that it may be more effective for the Youth Council to petition the Government.

A discussion followed concerning the implications of legislation, the effects on health, potentially taxing the N20 canisters.

RESOLVED: That following the completion of the drugs survey, the Youth Council look to petition the Government about the sale of N20 canisters.

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

Youth Councillors updated each other on school issues, achievements, events and training since the last meeting.

·                     Braeside Independent School – Simran advised that the school would be hosting a Jeans for Genes event to raise money.

·                     Chigwell School – Abigail advised that they had met to discuss the drugs survey and results. She had also set up LGBT society.

·                     Debden Park High School – Jacob advised that they were preparing for their opening day for year 6 pupils. Rene had arranged for the Youth Council’s Suggestion box and posters to be displayed in the Library. She had also made teachers aware of the promotion of a hair brush concealing a knife.

·                     Epping St John’s School – Marley advised that they had a new Head Teacher and several new teachers.

·                     The Ongar Academy – Oliver advised that they had a new Head Teacher, the school Council had been dropped and the pupil numbers had increased to 480.

·                     Roding Valley High School – Flo advised that new building to provide a new library, sixth form study centre and classrooms was near completion. They had recent held a talent competition and Year 11 pupils had been asked to help out the new Year 7 pupils.

·                     West Hatch High School – Arjun advised that building works continued at the school and they were establishing Student Reps and a Student Council.

The Chairman of the Council, Councillor R Bassett attended the meeting along with his wife, to talk about the Chairman’s Charity and the Youth Council helping to raise funds.

The Chairman advised that he had decided to split the funds he raises throughout his year as Chairman with the Community Transport and youth groups in the district. He wanted the youth council to help raise funds and help to decide the groups which should receive the donation.

Youth Councillors agreed that a subgroup should be set up to take this forward.

Di advised that Paula would be updating the Youth Activity Map that was free publicity for youth groups that operated in the district.

ACTION:

·         Youth Councillors to advise whether they would be interested in joining this subgroup.

·         Youth Councillors to advise Paula of any Youth groups that Youth Councillors were aware of in the District and contact details, if possible.

Youth Councillors to feedback on any events that they have attended in relation to the Youth Council since the last meeting.

Youth Councillors had the opportunity to feedback on events attended since the last meeting.

Archie advised that he had attended the recent NAP meeting in Epping, where they discussed the bins, parking and the Police.

To announce the winner of the Youth Council Cup.

Gaby advised that Eleanor had won the Youth Council Cup for her efforts going above and beyond her role, always putting herself forward for events and meetings, contributing to the Youth Council meetings and doing what she said she would do. As part of winning the Youth Council Cup, Eleanor would be invited to attend the Chairman’s Civic Awards, which would be held in March 2019.

The Chairman of the Council Councillor r Bassett presented Eleanor with the Youth Council Cup.

To announce the winner of the Jack Petchey Award.

Di advised that two Jack Petchy awards would be presented this evening. Oliver had bee nominated previously for his contribution promoting the EFYC work and help at The Ongar Academy.

Di advised that Abigail had been nominated for the current Jack Petchey award because of the work she had undertaken collating the drugs survey data, excellent attendance and contribution to the Youth Council.

The Chairman of the Council, Councillor R Bassett presented Oliver and Abigail with their certificates.

Di advised that the following requests had been put forward;

a)    Young Essex Assembly – They had approached the Youth Council for future partnership working.

b)    Equals Arts Hen Power Project – This was a project that brought together the elderly and young, looking after hens at residential homes. There was an opportunity to work with a residential home in North Weald.

c)    Councillor Wixley had wanted to return to a future meeting, to see the progress on the N20 canisters and potential petitioning of the Government.

(a)          Notices by Diane;

(b)          Notices by Paula;

(c)          Any other Notices; and

(d)          Youth Councillor Notices.

Notices by Di;

(a)          Di advised that they required a representative for the Youth Council Co-opted member on the Council’s Communities Select Committee. Annabelle, Archie, Finn, Dan, Eleanor, Tallulah, Ashwin, James, Stan, Flo, Arjun and Rene expressed an interest.

(b)          Brentwood and Epping Forest Advisory Group Representative – This meeting would be held at Zinc in Ongar. It was decided that Oliver would represent the Youth Council.

(c)          Loughton Town Council – Youth Councillors had been asked to make a presentation to the local council. Loughton Youth Councillors were asked to attend this meeting on 11 October 2018.

(d)          Neighbour Action Panel (Epping) – Youth Councillors in Epping were asked if they wished to attend future meeting.

(e)          Make Your Mark.- The Youth Parliament required young people to vote on one of the 10 issues that had been put forward by the ‘Make Your Mark’ campaign, which would debated by members of the youth parliament. Further information could be found at  http://www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk/makeyourmark/ and voting was available at

https://www.mi-vote.com/(S(qzorvhvbmkikwdcbmaqxf14c))/Vote.aspx?uvc=9632094554

(f)           Epping Forest Youth Strategy – Two representatives were required for the meeting. The next meeting was at 5pm on 16 January 2019 at Loughton Youth Centre.

ACTION: Youth Councillors were asked to let Di know which groups they were interested in being a representative for.

Notices by Paula

(a)          Youth Councillors were asked to check the diary sheets for future dates and times regarding training and meetings.

Notices by Gaby

(a)          Taxi Arrangements – Youth Councillors requiring transport should advise Di or Paula by 4 pm on Friday to ensure that they could be arranged.

(b)          Youth Council Constitution – Gaby asked for the Youth Council’s Constitution to be placed on a future agenda.

To note that the next meeting will be held on Tuesday 9 October 2018 at 19.00 – 21.00 at the Civic Offices.

To note that the next meeting would be held on Tuesday 9 October 2018.