MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE YOUTH COUNCIL HELD ON 1 JUNE 2006

Bishop's Stortford High School
* Youth Cllr T Bennett
Youth Cllr J Stapleton

Bishop's Stortford College
* Youth Cllr Miss H Trantum
Youth Cllr Miss C Walters

Herts & Essex High School
Youth Cllr Miss A Jellis
* Youth Cllr Miss V Greenwood

Hockerill Anglo European College
* Youth Cllr W Smith (Chairman)
* Youth Cllr Miss H Rowbottom

St Mary's Catholic School
* Youth Cllr W Breese (V/Chairman)
* Youth Cllr Miss L Ciccarelli

Birchwood High School
* Youth Cllr Miss E Isaacs
* Youth Cllr Miss E Newland

* denotes present

In attendance: Cllr Ken Armstrong (Town Mayor)

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

None.

2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 4 MAY 2006

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on 4 May 2006 be confirmed as a correct record of the proceedings and signed by the Chairman.

3. SURVEY ON METHODS TO INVOLVE YOUNG PEOPLE IN FUTURE TOWN EVENTS

Youth Cllr Miss Helen Trantum had compiled a draft survey and this was circulated amongst members present. The first draft of the survey was quite brief in its format and Youth Cllr Miss Trantum asked that any suggestions for changes or additions should be relayed to her by the end of the week. It was agreed that the survey should be circulated amongst all year groups in the schools before the end of the school term (29 June 2006). Cllr Armstrong suggested that disposable income could be included as an optional question.

4. FEEDBACK ON PRESS RELEASE

RESOLVED: that in the absence of Youth Cllr Jake Stapleton, this matter be deferred until the next meeting.

5. BRITISH YOUTH COUNCIL'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES

A letter had been received from the British Youth Council (see attached) and previously circulated to members, seeking nominations to the Council's Board of Trustees and the Finance and Fundraising Sub-Committee.
Discussion followed to establish precisely the function of a board of trustees.
Cllr Armstrong stated that, in brief, any financing or fund raising committee had a board of trustees, to ensure that matters were conducted responsible fashion and rigorous checks were made on such members.

It was agreed that the Youth Council should make an attempt to have a member elected onto the Board of Trustees to represent Bishop's Stortford and Youth Cllr Bennett proposed that the Chairman be nominated. This was seconded by Youth Cllr William Smith and agreed. The Chairman thanked members for their support and in view of the deadline (5 June 2006) this matter would be actioned immediately.

RESOLVED: Youth Cllr William Breeze be put forward as the Bishop's Stortford Town Council's Youth Council representative

6. CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLES' PLAY IN EAST HERTS

An e-mail (see attached) had been received from Clare Pullen, Community Planning and Partnerships Manager, East Herts Council, and circulated to all members, inviting a representative of the Youth Council to attend a meeting to discuss the District Council's plans to produce a Children and Young Peoples' Play Strategy.

Members expressed their concern regarding the ambiguity of the e-mail. However, it was decided that Youth Cllr Tim Bennett attend the meeting on 21 June 2006 in order to ascertain the exact nature of the Strategy. The Chairman agreed to reply to Mrs Pullen.

7. MATTERS RAISED BY YOUTH COUNCILLORS

i) Advertising Campaign

This matter was discussed briefly and it was decided that in order to raise the profile of the Bishop's Stortford Youth Council, an advertising campaign should be carried out as quickly as possible. Posters would be designed and posted on school notice boards and the Youth Council section on the Town Council's website would be updated. A link to the schools websites would be investigated.

Cllr Armstrong suggested that the local paper would be a good media for publicity and added that the Youth Councillors should consider organising a press release after every meeting.

It was agreed that a Youth Councillor should be appointed for this duty, however, it was decided to defer this matter until the next meeting when Youth Councillor Jake Stapleton would be in attendance.

ii) Cinema

It was reported that the Cinema in Anchor Street was charging £2.00 to students as an incentive to attend performances.

8. ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA

i) Press Release
ii) Feedback from Survey to Involve Young People in Future Town Events

9. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Thursday 6 July 2006  

To view the Minutes for a particular month, select a link from the list below:

Minutes of the meeting of the youth council held on 6 July 2006
Minutes of the meeting of the youth council held on 1 June 2006
Minutes of the meeting of the youth council held on 5 May 2006
Minutes of the meeting of the youth council held on 6 April 2006
Minutes of the meeting of the youth council held on 2 March 2006