Young people took centre stage at last week’s Cabinet meeting to update Councillors on their recent activities which included: their involvement with the young people’s music event Butserfest, editing the ‘Screaming Out Loud’ youth magazine, assessing services for young people through the CAT Mark scheme, developing money drop-in sessions for schools and planning EHDC’s Annual Youth Quiz.

The Chairperson of the East Hampshire Youth Council, Jake Topp also appealed to Councillors to promote the good things young people do at the meetings they attend by stating ‘please remember it is only the small minority of young people who cause problems, it is not all young people.’

Following the presentation, Councillor James commented ‘this has been the most interesting 10 minutes I have experienced in my time as a Councillor.’

As a result of the presentation Councillor Moon instantly volunteered for a young person to shadow him as part of the Local Councillor Shadowing Programme which is a government funded scheme aiming to give young people a taste of leadership.

Lara Nolan, Youth Council Coordinator commented ‘two of our young volunteers signed up to the Youth Council within weeks of starting their shadowing which reflects the type of long-term community involvement the programme aims to achieve.’

For more information on the East Hampshire Youth Council or Local Councillor Shadowing Programme please contact Lara Nolan, telephone: 01730 234186 or email: Lara.Nolan@easthants.gov.uk