Issue - meetings

This report looks at the lessons learned from the selection process for the Children and Young People’s Champion this year and sets out actions for consideration in designing and undertaking future selection.

Members considered a report which looked at the lessons learned from the selection process for the Children and Young People’s Champion this year and proposed actions for designing and undertaking future selection.

The report outlined four options for the future selection process:

Option 1 – full election process run in all schools.

Option 2 – election at the primary / secondary school council conferences.

Option 3- hustings at the school council conferences, followed by a simpler voting process in schools.

Option 4 – “I’m a councillor get me out of here”, a scheme run during democracy week which offers a national web-based approach enabling children and young people to interact with councillors, and vote, on-line.  This was quite an expensive process and did not extend the number of children and young people who could be involved.

Option 3 was recommended, on the grounds that it would provide an opportunity for a cross section of children and young people to meet and talk to prospective candidates face to face, in accordance with their preference.  It was recommended that elections take place in line with the council elections, rather than annually, as this would enable the election processes to be linked and would allow the Champion longer to build networks and make changes.

In discussing the three options, Members indicated that Option 1 would be their ideal choice, as the aim was to teach young people about the election process.  It was therefore important that the process be as authentic as possible and that maximum participation be encouraged.  However, it was recognised that this would depend upon the resources available and the willingness and ability of schools to become involved.

RESOLVED: (i)         That election rules be set and agreed before the process is run again and that a clear timetable and rules be established and agreed 3 months in advance of the election date.

REASON:      To ensure the fair and smooth running of the election process.

                        (ii)        That further exploration regarding the process to be adopted be undertaken with young people and schools, and a report on the outcome brought back to the next meeting of the Working Group.

REASON:      So that the Group can be clear about the wishes of young people and the resources that schools are able to offer before making a decision on the process, with a view to ensuring that the chosen option involves the widest possible participation and is run along similar lines to an adult election process.

                        (iii)       That it be agreed that the selection process should be run every 2 years and that the next process should be undertaken in October 2007.

REASON:      In order that young people be given as many opportunities as possible to participate in the election process during their time at school.