Greater say for young people at committee
YOUNG people will be given a greater say on matters directly impacting them at a key Inverclyde Council committee as part of a pilot project.
Members of the education and communities committee agreed to trial a new Young Person’s Forum to support the engagement of young people in committee business.
It comes on the back of a consultation exercise by national youth organisation, Young Scot, carried out on behalf of the council to explore ways for better representation of young people at decision-making bodies like committees and boards.
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The new forum will be in addition to existing means for young people to have their say on matters directly affecting them, including through the annual Clyde Conversations event, Youth Council, pupil councils, engagement with council services, and through Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP).
The pilot project was approved at the latest education and communities committee meeting in which senior pupils from St Columba’s High and Clydeview Academy, both in Gourock, were invited to give a presentation on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) partnership.
Councillor Jim Clocherty, convener of the education and communities committee, said: “It’s only right that the very people who will be impacted by committee decisions are given the chance to have their views heard.
“While the education and communities committee is made up of a range of representatives who act in the best interests of our young people, feedback and ideas from a variety of young people is vitally important and provides valuable information.
“Establishing a new Young Person’s Forum is a welcome addition to the existing mechanisms that are already in place for our young people to have their say on matters that impact them.”
The pilot project has been developed following feedback from young people during the consultation and will see an adaptation of the current pupil council meetings within the education directorate to include members of the education and communities committee.
The initial aim is to have two meetings over a year with committee members – one online and the other in person.
Members of the Youth Council and MSYPs could also be invited to these meetings and representation will also be sought from care experienced young people and seldom heard groups.
Councillor Kirsty Law, Inverclyde Council’s young person’s champion, said: “We have so many talented and engaged young people across our schools who, like us, are passionate about improving Inverclyde and ensuring everyone has the best start in life and their input and ideas are essential in helping decision-makers make the right decisions.
“This new forum will further enhance the voices of our young people and I look forward to working collaboratively with the forum to deliver positive change.”
The first meeting of the new Young Person’s Forum is expected to take place prior to the November committee.
Further information about the can be found in the committee reports which are on the Inverclyde Council website and the meeting is also available on the council’s YouTube channel.