Agenda item

This report invites Members to have an exploratory discussion about the future of the Children and Young People’s Champion, now that the present incumbent’s term of office has expired. Should Members want to recommend changes, these will be put to the Executive in due course – and ultimately to Full Council, if they involve changes to the constitution.

Members received a report that invited exploratory discussion on the future of the Children and Young People’s Champion, now that the previous incumbent’s term of office had expired.  It was noted that if Members wished to recommend a change to the existing arrangements these would be put to the Executive and ultimately to Full Council, if they involved changes to the constitution.

Members noted that the post of Champion for Children and Young People had been established following a scrutiny review which had concluded that young people’s opinions were given insufficient weight in decision-making.  Since that time there had been developments in the way in which young people had been given a voice in decision-making, including the setting up the Youth Council and its associated membership of the UK Youth Parliament.

Councillor Alexander stated that the Champion for Children and Young People was now one of many voices on behalf of young people and he believed that changes to the current arrangements were needed.  He detailed concerns regarding the role of Member Champions in general.  Councillor Alexander informed Members that be believed that it was important that a mechanism was in place whereby motions could be put forward to Council on behalf of young people.  He believed that the current arrangements whereby the minutes of the Young People’s Working Group meetings were considered by the Executive did not ensure that the views of young people were heard by all political parties and at the highest level.

Consideration was given to the options detailed in paragraph 8 of the report.

Members suggested that the following factors should be considered when recommendations were made regarding changes to the current arrangements:

• There was a consensus that changes were required to the current arrangements.
• There needed to be a clearly defined route as to how issues raised by young people were heard by decision-makers and responses and explanations were provided to the requests they put forward.

• Young people should be invited to attend meetings of the Young People’s Working Group and be involved in the setting of the agenda.
• The role of the Youth Council and Youth Parliament should be acknowledged when considering changes to the current arrangements.  It was also important to ensure that younger children’s views were heard e.g. through the primary school councils 
• The Executive Member for Children and Young People had legal responsibilities to champion the rights of children and young people.  The Chair of the Young People’s Working Group also had a role to play.
• Reservations were expressed regarding the option in the report to appoint an independent member to champion the rights of young people.  There were concerns that this may become political.
• The voluntary and community sector provide a wealth of opportunities for young people in the city and consideration should be given as to how they were represented.
•  The Young People’s Working Group should ensure that the needs of children and young people were considered in the broadest terms, including issues relating to housing, planning and road safety as well as matters more specifically targeted at young people.
• Full Council may not be the most appropriate body for young people to put forward their views.   It was, however, noted that there was an opportunity under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme for views to be put forward although this would not provide an opportunity for debate.
• Consideration could be given to a report, prepared by young people, being presented to full council by the Executive Member or Chair of the Young People’s Working Group on an annual basis.
• Age was one of the strands represented on the Social Inclusion Working Group (SIWG) and discussions had taken place as to how to ensure that the views of young people as well as older people were taken into account.  It was noted that the Chair of SIWG was also a member of the Young People’s Working Group.

The representative of the Youth Council was asked for his views regarding some of the suggestions that had been put forward.  He supported the proposal for young people to attend the Young People’s Working Group but stated that, because of exam commitments, it may not be possible for the same representatives to attend each meeting.  The use of substitutes would be a way forward but it was also important that there was a level of continuity.  It would be beneficial to have a Member speaking on behalf of young people but they should be above politics.  It would also be helpful for young people to have a mentor who could advise them on council procedures and how to make their voice heard most effectively. 

RESOLVED:(i)         That, taking into account the views expressed at the

meeting, officers prepare a further report on possible ways forward in developing the role of young people in decision-making.

(ii)That representatives from the Youth Council and Youth Parliament have a standing invitation to attend meetings of the Young People’s Working Group and to put forward agenda items for its meetings.

REASON:      To ensure young people’s views are taken into account in council decision-making.