A new initiative will ensure the voices of young people across Lichfield and Burntwood are heard, the leader of Lichfield District Council has said.
A meeting of the local authority’s cabinet next week will discuss the proposals for the creation of a new youth council.
The initiative is part of the council’s community power strategy which is designed to better engage and understand those living across the district.
In a report to the meeting, Cllr Doug Pullen said it was important the voices of the younger generation were being heard.
“We want to give young people a space and platform to discuss issues that matter to them – helping provide younger residents with a say over the places in which they live and the services they access and interact with.
“A youth council is a mechanism for achieving this, ensuring that policies and strategies consider their impact on young people and empower young people in their communities to feel part of the solution to local problems, supporting them to be active citizens and leaders of the future.
“A youth council would be a strong representative body and sounding board, to be consulted on decisions impacting young people in the district, as well as reporting up to full council on issues on an informal basis.”
Cllr Doug Pullen, Lichfield District Council
The proposals would see a £60,000 budget put in place to support the scheme and ensure that transport could be provided to support those participants who may not otherwise be able to access the initiative.
It is anticipated that members will be between 11 and 18.
“Officers will seek to recruit the first two or three schools from across the district to become founding members and help establish the new forum.
“Our aim would then be to engage with other schools to ensure all parts of the district are represented within the first three years.
“A very practical benefit of having the youth council will be the ability for the council to sense check policies and strategies while they are being developed to understand the impact on this important part of our community.
“The youth council will be driven by the aspirations and aims of the young people that are elected to it. Officers will support the young people in the management of the council but will commit to not dictate what young people choose to discuss or cover at their meetings.”
Cllr Doug Pullen, Lichfield District Council
The proposals will be discussed at the Lichfield District Council cabinet meeting on 6th September.
So when the younger generation say they want a cinema, bowling alley, night club and all the normal stuff they want the council will stop building retirement homes ? I doubt it very much !!!
Mr Mr : the council don’t build retirement homes. They are not builders or developers.
Obviously Steve; but they grant permission to the builders !!! with no regards to the needs of the other residents of Lichfield
It would be interesting to hear young peoples views, on the council spending £133,000 on garden waste stickers.
Contract: LDC-187 Garden Waste Stickers
https://procontract.due-north.com/ContractsRegister/ViewContractDetails?contractId=492f9833-65a0-ec11-8112-005056b64545&p=7d032552-cf1f-e911-80f2-005056b64545
I am sure they would be able to find a better use, for the money.
@Dale….Yes an interesting document. This amounts to £44,000 per year for the next three years. There are about 15,000 properties in Lichfield but less than half use the garden waste service, and pay for it. This would make the stickers about £6 each (not including any postage to users involved).
A reasonable printing press would produce these in a day. Yes it requires a permi stick backing and a varnish coating so not a cheap process but I would think the printing company would be well pleased with that contract.
Where government and local government are involved costs are always at a premium, and often extortionate.
What did LDC do to retain Minster Hall Youth Club which had served young people in Lichfield for decades. It might have become outdated and not relevant but with vision, a bit of updating and creative thinking it could have been made relevant for todays youth who for the most part just want somewhere to meet their mates, is a safe place and that won’t cost the earth to go to.
mr mr: the council don’t have power to reject planning applications they just don’t like
they can only reject applications that don’t fit the law and local plan
good point dale
can we just let the youth council run things instead? it will be better than these clowns