Junior panel gives young forum say on district issues
YOUNGSTERS in Wear Valley can now have their say on district matters.Following the successful development of the Wear Valley citizens' panel, the Community Involvement Team at Wear Valley District Council is setting up a junior citizens' panel for children under 15 to try new methods of telling the council their views.
Recent visits to some of the local schools by the Community Involvement Team has illustrated support for the development of a junior panel, with five residents aged under 14 already signed up to join the panel once it is established.
Nineteen young people aged 15 and over are already registered with the main citizens' panel entitled Future Aspects, The Voice of Wear Valley. Corinne Gardner, Community Involvement Manager with Wear Valley District Council, said:
"The development of the junior panel is the first step to gaining the views of our younger residents who may otherwise not have had the opportunity to tell us about issues that concern them.
"We need to take this opportunity to include young members of the community in the design and delivery of our services.” The team will also be developing a Youth Reward Scheme and a Youth Opportunity Menu which will ensure younger residents are rewarded for getting involved and have a variety of activities to choose from.
The team are currently running a competition for local schools and young people living in the district to find a suitable name for the junior panel. The prize for the chosen name will be a £100 sports equipment voucher. The closing date for entries in to the 'Name the Junior Panel Competition' will be Friday May 30.
For further information about the Youth Reward Scheme and Youth Opportunity Menu or to enter the competition contact the Community Involvement Team on 01388 761 989 or 761952 or e-mail the team at communityinvolvement@wearvalley.gov.uk
