POCKLINGTON could get a youth council – run by young people in the town who would help to make decisions about issues that affect them.
The town council have decided to look into setting up the youth group to work alongside their members.
They made the decision at last week’s town council meeting where Jayne Clarke, a youth worker with East Riding council and 13-year-old Tom Astel
l, a member of the UK Youth Parliament, had been invited to speak about the issue.
Youth councils have already been set up in Driffield, Goole and Beverley.
Jayne Clarke, from East Riding council youth service, said youth councils had positive effects on communities. She said: “It’s really important to engage with these young people and make them feel valued.
“What they have to say is very valuable, they’re an investment in the future and it raises their interests in local politics. They could address the council who would get a new perspective on issues in the town.
“Youth councils give young people opportunities and they get to experience other things.”
Tom Astell, from Beverley, also promoted youth councils to the town council. He said: “Having a youth council would engage young people and engage them in democratic process and give them some good voting experience so they can make some good decisions when they are older.”
Town council members all agreed that they would like to see the formation of a youth council.
Coun Graham Perry said: “I would like to see it built on sound foundations so it wouldn’t drift away. A group that is not dominated but assisted by us. I would like to see us take a very positive action.”
Coun Maureen Wilkinson said: “I think it’s a very good idea, I think it’s something that’s been needed in this area for a long time.”
Coun Tony Marron said: “I agree, I think we need to be very pro active and go round the schools.”
He said he would liaise with East Riding council and form a plan of action.
Jayne Clarke said the next step would be to work with schools, the youth centre and other voluntary organisations in the town that involve young people to gauge what support there would be for a council. She said: “We’d like as many people as possible involved in the project to help, to sustain it and to support the young people.”
