Bishop's Stortford Town Council

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE YOUTH COUNCIL HELD ON 2 MARCH 2006

Bishop's Stortford High School
* Youth Cllr T Bennett
* Youth Cllr J Stapleton

Bishop's Stortford College
* Youth Cllr Miss H Trantum
* Youth Cllr Miss C Walters

Herts & Essex High School
* Youth Cllr Miss A Jellis
* Youth Cllr Miss V Greenwood

Hockerill Anglo European College
* Youth Cllr W Smith
* Youth Cllr Miss H Rowbottom

St Mary's Catholic School
* Youth Cllr W Breese
* Youth Cllr Miss L Ciccarelli

Birchwood High School
Youth Cllr Miss E Isaacs
* Youth Cllr Miss E Newland

* denotes present

In attendance: Cllr Keith Barnes (Town Mayor)

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Youth Cllr Miss Isaacs

2. INTRODUCTION BY THE TOWN MAYOR

Cllr Barnes chaired the first meeting of the new Youth Council and gave members an overview of the protocol and format that future meetings would take. He suggested to members that the election of Chairman and Vice Chairman should be deferred until the next meeting in order to give Youth Councillors an opportunity to get to know each other before a Chairman was chosen. Cllr Barnes advised members of the wonderful opportunity they had been given to influence members of the Town Council and make the Council aware of the issues concerning young people in Bishop's Stortford. He considered that members should actively discuss issues with their colleagues at school to discover their concerns and needs and bring them to the Town Council. Whilst it would not always be within the Town Council's power to act on the issues raised by the young people, he nevertheless urged members to be vocal on behalf of their colleagues and to become involved in community issues.

3. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED: that this matter be deferred until the next meeting

4. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED: that this matter be deferred until the next meeting

5. FUNDING REQUEST FROM NORTHGATE YOUTH CENTRE

Members had been circulated with a copy of a letter from Jamie Southwell requesting funding of £840 from the Youth Council to assist in the staging of a monthly music event at the Rhodes Art Complex for 13-19 year olds. Members were generally very supportive of the idea and were of the opinion that there was a market for such an event. However, they did wish to establish the proposed level of security and expressed concern at the possibility of alcohol being smuggled into the venue. Members also wished to establish whether it was proposed for a variety of music to be played in order that the event would be inclusive to all.

Cllr Barnes advised members that the Youth Council had a budget of £1000 to spend each year and the budget for 2005/06 had not yet been spent. A new budget would be available to members from April 2006 and it was therefore possible to fund the event out of the current year's budget without affecting future funding opportunities from 1 April 2006.

Whilst Cllr Barnes comments were noted, members, nevertheless, wished to receive further information before agreeing funding and requested that Jamie Southwell be invited to attend the next meeting of the Youth Council in order to answer members questions on the event. In the meantime members would seek the views of their Schools on the level of interest for a music event.

RESOLVED: that this matter be deferred until the next meeting and that the Clerk be requested to carry forward the budget from 2005/06 into April 2006.

6. MATTERS RAISED BY YOUTH COUNCILLORS

i. Lack of Parking in Town Centre

Members expressed concern at current parking problems in the Town Centre as a result of the closure of the multi storey car park and the fact that many streets close to the Centre had either recently introduced residents parking schemes or double yellow lines. Cllr Barnes echoed the Youth Council's concerns but was pleased to advise members that it appeared that the new car park would be available for use ahead of schedule.

ii Public Toilets

A reference was made to the general poor state of the public toilets in Town. Members were requested to telephone the Town Council to report any specific problem noted at the time of a visit in order that it could be rectified quickly.

iii Vandalism

A general discussion took place on the subject of vandalism. The lack of facilities for young people was considered to be one of the reasons for vandalism and members felt in order to prevent the problem escalating it was important to educate and occupy young people at primary school level in the belief that this would have a positive effect during the teenage years.

iv. Lakeside Bowling

Members advised that the bowling alley was not open to young people under the age of 18 after 7pm in the evening and felt that if the age level was lowered, a greater proportion of the young people who congregated in the vicinity of the leisure centre would be occupied and less likely to cause trouble. It was agreed to write to Lakeside Super Bowl drawing this matter to their attention.

7. ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA

Cllr Barnes requested that members spent some time considering any item they would wish to see included on future agenda and advise the Town Clerk in the month preceding the next meeting.

8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Thursday 6 April 2006 at 6.30pm.

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