The Youth Cabinet introduced the report with a video which was scripted, filmed and edited by Members to promote the Youth Cabinet within Thurrock.  The Chair of Thurrock Youth Cabinet outlined the work undertaken by Thurrock Youth Cabinet.

The Participation Officer then presented the report which highlighted the work of the Thurrock Youth Cabinet and the wider activities of the Inspire Youth Work team in 2016/17. 

The Chair welcomed Members of the Youth Cabinet and expressed her satisfaction that the Youth Cabinet in Thurrock was so strong and so well organised.  She asked why there was lower attendance to the South Ockendon Youth Club.  The Participation Officer outlined that the Tilbury Youth Club had been established for around 50 years and was held in a Council-owned building.  The South Ockendon club had partly arisen due to concerns from Schools in the area, Thurrock Council and the Police and had only been in place since February.  It would take time to build relationships but there had begun to be a regular group and it was hoped this would expand with time.  Councillor Potter asked where it was held.  Members were advised that the club met every Monday from 6:30pm – 8:00pm in the Thurrock Lifestyle Solutions building, on Derwent Parade.

Councillor Redsell felt that Democracy Week was not a long enough period of time and asked what the result of the previous year’s had been.  She added that at times the Youth Cabinet was not as well advertised as it might be and that she would like to see more Councillors get involved.   The Participation Officer advised that Democracy Week was an effort to engage with School Councils, as many young people had joined as a result.  It was hoped that this year more schools would be involved.

Councillor Snell advised that he was a Member of the Stifford Clays Hub and they were excited to see a Youth Club develop, but also wanted to know what they could offer to assist the team.  He expressed his view that members of the Youth Cabinet were universally impressive and reiterated that they should approach Councillors if they needed any assistance.

The Chair of the Youth Cabinet agreed that input from Councillors would be useful to help influence the Youth Cabinet’s outlook and debates shaped campaigns.  He accepted that the reach was not as widespread as hoped, hence the production of the video.  There were efforts to reach out to as many schools as possible but membership fluctuated, which sometimes left schools unrepresented and harder to access.  There were particular issues around how to present to primary schools and how to prevent older members becoming detached from the younger years.  The Youth Cabinet would welcome help and guidance from Councillors.

The Chair congratulated the Youth Cabinet for all they had achieved and urged Councillors to get more involved when possible.

RESOLVED:

That Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

1)    Note the work of the Thurrock Youth Cabinet and the wider Inspire Youth Work Team in 2016/17

2)    Support the work plans of the Thurrock Youth Cabinet and Inspire Youth Work Team in 2017/18

3)    Support the production of a 2017/18 annual report; promoting youth work and activity to external partners and potential funders