Agenda item

To receive the report of the Communications & Engagement Administrative Assistant.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Administrative Assistant- Communities & Engagement.

The Committee received an update on Youth Council membership, recruitment and retention, together with a summary of current and forthcoming activities. Members were advised that a number of engagement initiatives were being explored, including a "Pizza and Politics" style event. The Youth Council had also secured membership of the National Youth Council, with plans for a local heritage tour, daily information slides and end-of-term newsletters.

Members noted that member retention and achieving a quorum for meetings continued to present challenges despite a range of engagement methods having been trialled. It was acknowledged that an easily accessible, well-supported event could provide a positive opportunity to increase participation, with the Council taking responsibility for organising the event and allocating roles. In terms of recruitment, it was suggested that existing Youth Council members be encouraged to invite friends to attend meetings to learn more about the Youth Council and its work.

A proposal, duly seconded, was put forward that prospective Youth Council members should attend a minimum of three meetings before becoming official members. Following discussion, the proposal was put to the vote and was not carried. Members considered that young people often had significant commitments outside school, including exams and extracurricular activities, and that introducing such a requirement could discourage participation and create a barrier to recruitment.

Resolved:

1.       That, the report be noted and;

2.       That, no new term of references for official membership after attendance at three meetings be progressed.