Call for Candidates for South Cambs Youth Council

The Young People of South Cambridgeshire now have an opportunity to have a bigger say in how their neighbourhood is run by becoming “youth councillors” in the South Cambs Youth Council.

This follows on from the development of the South Cambridgeshire Young People’s Plan (YPP) which was put together with the help of young people in 2010. The YPP explains how important it is to the Council to make sure that children and young people have a say in the decisions and plans that affect them.

In preparing the YPP, the Council asked lots of young people if they would like to have a say and, if so, how they think this could be done. The results of the consultation was collated and put in the Action Plan, a document that South Cambs hope will help them to keep the Councils’ commitment to the Young People’s Plan. That action plan can only be put to work by the direct involvement of the young people!

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South Cambridgeshire Needs You

South Cambridgeshire District Council  is pleased to announce that nominations are now open from 1st April until 1st August 2012, for young people to come forward to join the first youth council.

This is the chance for young people to have a voice and to influence the development of their neighbourhoods.

If you are a young person who cares about where you live and have lots of ideas for your local area, have sometimes felt cross that the grownups don’t ask you what you think, here is your chance to do something about it! There are 20 places up for grabs and these are open to all young people between the ages of 13 and 18 who live in South Cambridgeshire.

The Youth Council is a great chance to have a say in the things that you care about and your local area, as well as being a valuable experience to put down when applying for jobs in the future. The new youth council will advise members of South Cambridgeshire District Council on a number of issues such as sports and arts activities, communications and housing.

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The role of a Youth Councillor

Youth councillors will develop leadership skills, gain confidence, get involved in decision-making and help organise youth and community events. The roles that a youth councillor will have are varied. Youth Councillors will:

– Represent young people in all the Council’s work
– Highlight the things raised by the young people you represent
– Support lots of activities and help us come up with more
– Have a real say in things that happen in South Cambridgeshire

There are all sorts of things that youth councillors may want to work with South Cambridgeshire District Council on such as:

– New housing developments (including Northstowe)
– Sports and Arts activities
– Jobs and businesses
– Climate change and Energy
– Communications, including Facebook, Twitter and our website

The list is endless! And the Council is keen to find out from young people if these issues are of interested and, if not, what else should be on the agenda.

Meetings can take place at agreed locations and communicate using email, Facebook or by post. And there’s the Scambsyouthcouncil YouTube channel where young people to watch what’s happening, including the cake baking antics of the work experience student, Sean Tipple, who is helping set up the youth council!

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Time for Action

There are 20 places available for people aged between 13 and 18 who want to represent their peers and get involved in the wellbeing of other teenagers and the wider community.

Tracy Mann, the district council’s development officer, urged people to put themselves forward.

She said: “Young people really care about all sorts of things that affect them, and the youth council will help them get involved in democracy at an early age.

“If you live in South Cambridgeshire and believe you should have a say in the decisions that are made on your behalf, then please volunteer to become a youth councillor and really help us to help you make a difference.”

Nominations close on August 1 and, if there are enough candidates, an election will be held in September.

For more information, call (01954) 713342 or email tracy.mann@scambs.gov.uk, or write to: Tracy Mann, South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cambourne Business Park, Cambourne, Cambs, CB23 6EA.

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