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CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT

This year saw the formation of the Bideford Town Youth Council. The way in which the Council was formed was through a formal election where candidates who lived, or were educated in Bideford, put forward a campaign (in the form of a speech at a hustings, held in the Pannier Market) and then their peers had to vote the 16 members they wanted to see on the Council.

The first meeting was held on the 30 November 2005 and since then there have been 10 meetings, all being held in school term time. In the first meeting a chair, vice-chair and treasurer were elected. The format of meetings was quite formal and some meetings were quite long. The first few meetings were mainly getting us used to the way things ran and a lot of time was spent electing youth councillors onto committees and working groups who had requested youth council representation. The groups that members currently sit on are Bideford Regeneration Initiative, Leader+ (Youth Grants Panel), Underage Drinking Working Group, East-the-Water Youth Committee, Public Transport Working Group, Sports Forum, Neighbourhood Wardens Scheme and a Y-Smart Project. The Council also has strong connections with Bideford Town Council and Torridge District Council and has representation on their Liaison Committee.

As it was the first year of the Youth Council, everyone was still learning how the set up of a council worked and all the procedures that had to be followed. One thing the Council managed to do though, was to put together a few funding bids; one for a team-building event and one for their main project of the year which was a youth music concert. The Youth Council has had success in influencing additional safety measures in the skate park, lighting and security in Victoria Park and getting a basketball court put back into Bideford.

Overall, the first year has been a huge learning experience for all the youth councillors and those people who mentor us. The next hustings is planned for 15 November 2006 in preparation for this year’s elections from which the Council will get several new councillors. We are hopeful that the Youth Council will make even more of an impact and a difference to the young people of Bideford.

As this was the first Annual Report it was thought that a personal view point from the Vice-Chairman, Youth Councillor Radcliffe, would form part of the Report.

“During the 12 months as a youth councillor I have learned a lot about the town called Bideford. I have seen things differently in that people can and will help to achieve something.

I have also learnt to work better in a team with such people as Katie Cloak for whom I have the utmost respect. During our time together as Chairman and Vice-Chairman we attended such important events such as the Bideford Manor Court, Mayor Election Ceremony etc which I was happy to go to and meet wonderful people. Through George I met the former Town Mayor, Marion Sankey, and the current one, Tony Inch, both of whom have supported us in everything we do. Also James Manners and others were working on the music concert. It was unfortunate that we did not get the crowd we were expecting but overall a good night was enjoyed by those there.

The weekend away was awesome for those attending as we were able to be ourselves in front of everyone else and had a good laugh. I enjoyed talking to others; Dragon and help give Mary-Rose a good birthday, and Andy and Ryan a ‘thank you’ present.

I want to thank Shirley, Kerry from Wings, and all 3 colleges for helping and supporting us and also Bideford and Torridge Councils. Also George, although he can seem boring he really showed his moves at the music concert!

I hope the people can now see that there is something to help the youth and that the Youth Council will do the best it can. I will help during the next elections and show my support for the next Youth Council the best I can; I want to see it become a success.”