Archive Index Scroll through online document here>>>

Aims and Objectives

---

The Bideford Town Youth Council is an independent group with the following aims:

1.1 To provide an opportunity for youth councillors to represent young people and raise matters that concern them and, where appropriate, voice those concerns with relevant groups and committees.

1.2 To give young people an understanding of what democracy means by involving them in the democratic process.

1.3 To raise the profile of young people in a positive way.

1.4 To review and develop the opportunities available to young people.

1.5 To speak on behalf of young people and to act in support of them.

1.6 To promote equal opportunities and stop discrimination.

1.7 To make sure that all young people in the community, including those who are disadvantaged, are represented.

1.8 To make recommendations to local authorities and other decision-making bodies on youth activities and issues affecting young people.

1.9 To identify activities/projects that fills identified gaps in youth provision or improve existing youth activities.

1.10 To encourage co-operation between individuals and groups to provide opportunities for creative, flexible and local approaches to changing youth needs.

Membership of the Youth Council

---

2.1 The Youth Council should consist of a minimum of eight and a maximum of sixteen members.

2.2 All members must be between the ages of 13 and 18 years inclusive on their acceptance to the Council.

2.3 All members must be educated in or live within the Bideford area. Any member moving away from the area will be asked to resign their membership.

2.4. Any member may resign from the Youth Council at any time by informing the Chairman of the Youth Council in writing. Any member who has missed three meetings without having given apologies will be asked to resign.

2.5 Where a vacancy exists following an election it will be offered to one of the unsuccessful candidates from the most recent election. The candidate will care take the vacancy until the next election.

Meetings of the Youth Council

---

3.1 The Youth Council will hold monthly meetings in term time only. Dates of meetings are contained in the Induction Booklet. The Annual Meeting of the Youth Council will be held in the first week of November each year.

3.2 At the first meeting the Youth Council will elect from within its membership:

a. A Chairman who will chair the meetings for their full term in office, ensuring they are run in a proper and orderly manner and to speak on behalf of and represent the Youth Council as required.

b. A Deputy Chairman who will rotate on a yearly basis, and who will stand in for the Chairman as and when necessary.

3.3 The Youth Council may appoint such officers (i.e. Clerk, Secretary, Public Relations etc) as it considers necessary and may decide on their powers and terms of reference and delegate authority to them to take executive decisions which are consistent with the aims and objectives of the Youth Council subject to any such decisions being reported back to the next ordinary meeting of the Youth Council for confirmation. Additionally, when undertaking specific projects the Youth Council may appoint working groups to head the project.

3.4 At least one third of the total number of members (not including vacancies) must be present at each meeting of the Youth Council.

3.5 The Youth Council may invite anyone having special knowledge or experience to sit in and take part in all or part of a meeting or meetings subject to them having no voting rights.

3.6 All decisions will be made by a majority of members present and voting on a one member one vote basis. In the event of a tie, the Chairman may use a casting vote to decide the issue.

3.7 Meetings of the Youth Council will be open to the press and public unless members specifically decide otherwise.
3.8 At all meetings of the Youth Council members will do their best to:

a. Make sure there is every reasonable opportunity for the views of the young people they represent to be heard.

b. Make sure that all groups have an equal chance to be heard.

Annual Report

---

4.1 For the Annual Meeting, the Youth Council will prepare an Annual Report detailing work undertaken during the previous year.

Finances

---

5.1 Any funds which are made to the Youth Council will only be used to further its aims and objectives.

5.2. Any cheque drawn against Youth Council funds will require two signatures – which shall be the Secretary and the Clerk of the Youth Council.

Changes to Constitution

---

6.1 Any changes to the Constitution may only be made at the Annual Meeting.

The Local Authorities Commitment

---

7.1 Bideford Town Council shall, whenever possible, provide accommodation for Meetings of the Youth Council.

7.2 When the Youth Council wishes to discuss any matter over which one or more local authorities have control, those authorities will do their best to provide a representative to attend that Meeting of the Youth Council to answer questions and give advice.

7.3 Any existing procedures which the Town Council have in place for public question and answer sessions, presentation of petitions etc, will be extended to include representatives of the Youth Council.

7.4 The local authorities shall, if requested, advise the Youth Council and its members on the most effective ways of raising issues with them.

7.5 The local authorities shall use the Youth Council as a way of consulting young people on issues which affect them.

7.6 The local authorities shall use their best endeavours to support and train Youth Council members where resources are available.

7.7 Bideford Town Council shall, whenever possible, provide adequate publicity for the Youth Council so as to involve as many young people as possible.

7.8 Bideford Town Council shall, whenever possible, support applications by the Youth Council for outside funding to enable it to develop and/or undertake activities of its own.

7.9. Bideford Town Council shall, whenever possible, ensure that the Clerk is present to support each meeting of the Youth Council to give advice and assistance on matters affecting the legal, statutory, financial and other provisions governing or affecting the operation of the Youth Council.

Dissolution

---

If the members decide that it is necessary or advisable not to have a Youth Council it shall call a meeting of all members, of which not less than 21 days notice (stating the terms of the resolution to be proposed) shall be given. If the proposal is confirmed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting, the members shall have power to realise any assets held by or on behalf of the Youth Council. Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to such other charitable institution or institutions.