South Cambs is a major growth area. We know that many of these new homes will attract young families and the number of young people in the District will rise. It is therefore hugely important that the voice of young people is heard in the development of the Council’s policies for the future of the District. This Council encourages youth engagement in local politics and supports the greater involvement of young people in decision-making at the Council and requests Cabinet to establish a cross-party Members’ Task & Finish Group to consider options for delivering this.
Decision:
Council agreed the following motion:
South Cambs is a major growth area. We know that many of these new homes will attract young families and the number of young people in the District will rise. It is therefore hugely important that the voice of young people is heard in the development of the Council’s policies for the future of the District. This Council encourages youth engagement in local politics and supports the greater involvement of young people in decision-making at the Council and requests Cabinet to establish a cross-party Members’ Task & Finish Group to consider options for delivering this.
Minutes:
Councillor Heather Williams proposed and Councillor Graham Cone seconded the following motion:
South Cambs is a major growth area. We know that many of these new homes will attract young families and the number of young people in the District will rise. It is therefore hugely important that the voice of young people is heard in the development of the Council’s policies for the future of the District. This Council encourages youth engagement in local politics and supports the greater involvement of young people in decision-making at the Council and requests Cabinet to establish a cross-party Members’ Task & Finish Group to consider options for delivering this.
Councillor Heather Williams stated that the Council had rejected a similar motion in 2019.
Councillor Stephen Drew explained that Cambourne had a high proportion of young people and he welcomed the construction of the Soul building with Section 106 funding. He expressed concern about the average age of parish councillors and he supported the motion.
Councillor Sue Ellington reported that she had set up a youth council when she had been on Cabinet and a number of schools had participated. She supported the motion and hoped that the Council would get the views of young people on issues such as the new development at Northstowe.
Councillor Dr Tumi Hawkins explained that the Planning team had a youth engagement programme, which had informed development at Cottenham, Foxton and the Science Park. She supported the motion.
Councillor Pippa Heylings reported that children from the Cambridge Schools Eco Council had addressed a meeting of the Climate and Environment Advisory Committee, speaking for a minute each. She supported the motion.
Councillor Bill Handley spoke in favour of the motion and as the Lead Cabinet Member for Communities he looked forward to discussing the matter with the Communications and Sustainable Communities Service Manager.
Councillor Sarah Cheung Johnson welcomed the fact that more younger people had been elected as Members of the Council. She recognised that the number of youth workers had been cut and that there was a lack of leisure facilities for young people. She supported the motion.
Councillor Henry Batchelor explained that when he was first elected he experienced a steep learning curve and he welcomed any proposal that would make it easier for younger people to take public office.
Councillor Brian Milnes supported the motion and he looked forward to the day when Council would debate a motion proposed by a youth council.
Councillor Anna Bradnam explained that she had been involved with a County Council group that encouraged children in care to express their views.
Councillor Graham Cone welcomed the cross party support for the motion and endorsed the comments made.
Councillor Heather Williams welcomed the comments made and hoped that Cabinet would be able to allocate funding to the project.
A vote was taken and by affirmation Council agreed the following motion:
South Cambs is a major growth area. We know that many of these new homes will attract young families and the number of young people in the District will rise. It is therefore hugely important that the voice of young people is heard in the development of the Council’s policies for the future of the District. This Council encourages youth engagement in local politics and supports the greater involvement of young people in decision-making at the Council and requests Cabinet to establish a cross-party Members’ Task & Finish Group to consider options for delivering this.