Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Big plans, bright future

Stockton Youth Assembly Minutes

Date:
Tuesday, 17th November, 2015
Time:
05.00pm
Place:
Community Zone, North Shore Academy, Talbot Street, Norton
 
Please note: all Minutes are subject to approval at the next Meeting

Attendance Details

Present:
Cllr Robert Cook, Cllr Mrs Ann McCoy, Viven Alwis, Chloe Armstrong, Kushan Bhardwaj, Jemina Burton, Jess Hugill, Stephen Jones, Ross Schofield
Officers:
S. Stenburge (Youth Direction), M. Jones, S. Levin (Law & Democracy)
In Attendance:
Lauren Atmarrow, Ingleby Manor, Cllr Lauriane Povey, Megan Patterson (Bite the Ballot)
Apologies for absence:
Beth Gibson, Elizabeth Johnson, Neha Kambalimath, Luke Marsden, Chloe McLaren, Colin McPhee, Jake Mowbray, Bailey Shaw, Amelia Smith, Kathryn Wake
Item Description Decision
Public
SYA
55/14		 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Preamble
 
SYA
56/14		 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 15TH SEPTEMBER 2015
Preamble
AGREED that the minutes of the meeting held on 15th September 2015 be agreed as a true record.
SYA
57/14		 BITE THE BALLOT
Preamble
AGREED that the SYA would assist in encouraging young people to become involved in politics.
SYA
58/14		 ANNUAL CONVERSATION
Preamble
AGREED that SYA members confirm attendance.
SYA
59/14		 UPDATE OF STOCKTON YOUTH ASSEMBLY ACTIVITY
Preamble
AGREED that SYA members would inform if they wished to attend the BYC Convention and the Residential Training.
SYA
60/14		 MAKE YOUR MARK CAMPAIGN
Preamble
AGREED the report be noted.
SYA
61/14		 FORWARD PLAN
Preamble
AGREED the report be noted.
5.00pm / 6.30pm

Preamble

ItemPreamble
SYA
55/14		There were no declarations of interest.
SYA
56/14		The members of the SYA considered the minutes of the meeting held on 15th September 2015.
SYA
57/14		Megan Patterson from Bite the Ballot facilitated a session highlighting the importance of politics and voting. Members were asked vote yes, no, or undecided on two questions:

Should prisoners have access to internet?
Should the death penalty be brought back?

The SYA then took part in "Show me the money" exercise, allocating funding to departments.

Public spending on benefits was discussed, including misconceptions regarding benefit fraud and the difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion. It was noted that the biggest expenditure for benefits was pensions.

Megan Patterson asked if the SYA would assist in promoting the Bite the Ballot campaign, promoting politics to young people, and if she could continue to attend the SYA meetings.
SYA
58/14		SYA Members were informed the Health & Wellbeing Partnership were hosting an Annual Conversation on 7 December, 4pm - 7pm at the Town Hall, Stockton-On-Tees. The event was an opportunity for young people to meet with the Partnership to discuss issues that affect their health and wellbeing. Topics included:

*Abuse, from both a victims and a witness's viewpoint
*Peer Pressure
*Substance Misuse
*Sex Education
*Healthier Lives
*Relationships
*Isolation / Disconnection
*Sense of Community
*Life Skills
*Adulthood
*Educational Performance
*Local Authority care Outcomes

SYA Members were asked to let officers know if they wished to attend.
SYA
59/14		The SYA noted the report on the activities that they had taken part in since the previous meeting. This included attendance at the British Youth Council (BYC) Convention on 10th October at Tyne Metropolitan College in Wallsend participating in several workshops.

SYA Members were informed of the next date of the BYC Convention, Saturday 5th December, as well as the date of the Residential Training Session held 8th - 10th April. Members were asked to contact officers if they wished to attend.
SYA
60/14		It was noted that Stockton collected a massive 7,059 votes from 16 Schools/Colleges and 23 youth groups. The top five issues nationally, debated in the House of Commons on Friday 13th November, were:

1. A Living Wage
Everyone should be able to live comfortably. Everyone aged 16 or over should be paid at least the Living Wage of £7.85 per hour (£9.15 in London).
2. A Curriculum to prepare us for life
Schools should cover topics including finance, sex and relationships and politics in the curriculum.
3. Transport
Make public transport cheaper, better and accessible for all.
4. Mental health
Services should be improved with young people's help, and mental health education should be compulsory and challenge stereotypes.
5. Tackling racism and religious discrimination, particularly against people who are Muslim or Jewish
All young people should work together to combat racism and other forms of discrimination, and ensure we know the dangers of such hatred.

The Stockton MYP, and chair of the SYA, Jess Hugill was the North East representative delivering a speech regarding the living wage. Following the debates a vote was held to decide the issue for the 2016, and Tackling Racisim and Religious Discrimination was voted as the main priority, along with Mental Health as a devolved issue for England. The national campaign day would be 17th January.

A further report would be presented at the next meeting.
SYA
61/14		The forward plan was noted.

SYA members were informed of the Book of Condolence for the victims of the Paris terrorist attacks that was available to sign in Stockton Central Library.

Details for the Search for Young Entrepreneurs was circulated.

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