MINUTES       Present:

 

Dawn Andrews,  Claire Baker, Hannah Berry, John Bryan, Kayleigh Day, Elizabeth Hancock, Matthew Jones, Francesca Kelly, Damian Lewis, Elizabeth Lumley, Charlene McCarron, Sarah Mullis, Jonathan Palmer, Ian Rollinson, Stephen Shearer, Bethan Stone, Ceinwen Stone, Shane Stoneystreet, Rebecca Styler, Shahyan Syed, Greg Thomas, Alan Thornton, James Webb and Benjamin White.

 

Deputies:

 

Deputy Student Councillors Christopher Donachie and Claire Robinson.

 

Officers:

 

Bev Docherty (Treasurer to the Student Council), Jo Heath (Youth Project Officer), Steve Skinner (Democratic Services Manager) and Stuart Wingfield (Planning Officer).

 

Clerk to the Student Council:

 

Janice Smyth.

 

Also in attendance:

 

Councillor Springall (Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Redditch); Councillor B Passingham (for Worcestershire County Council);   Sergeant McNally and PC Waterhouse (West Mercia Police);

R Passingham and Miss V Parker (Millennium Volunteers).

 

1.         ADDRESS BY THE DEPUTY MAYOR OF THE BOROUGH OF REDDITCH

 

            The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Cyril Springall, welcomed everyone to the 10th Annual Meeting of the Student Council.

 

            He went on to say he was encouraged to see so many young people interested in participating in the project, which brings the Council and the town’s four High Schools together. 

 

 

 

            He expressed the wish that the Student Council and the Borough Council would continue to work together on issues faced by the community and particularly those that effect young people in the town.

 

            On behalf of the Borough Council, he wished the Student Councillors every success during their terms of office.

 

            The Mayor then introduced the Borough Council’s Officers, who support the Student Council, to the meeting.

 

2.         APOLOGIES

 

            An apology for absence was received on behalf of County Councillor T Wareing.

 

3.         OUTGOING CHAIR’S REPORT

 

     In the absence of the outgoing Chair, a number of Student Councillors commencing their second term of office briefly reported on the various projects and consultation processes the Student Council had been involved in during the previous year.  It was further noted that donations had also been made to a number of youth orientated organisations and projects.   

 

4.         REPORT OF RETURNING OFFICER

 

            The Student Council received and noted a summary of the February 2004 Election results from the Returning Officer.

 

            It was also noted that Student Councillor Spencer George had regrettably had to tender his resignation for personal reasons.  As a result of the resignation, Deputy Student Councillor Alan Thornton had been made up to a full Student Councillor and representative for Trinity High School and Sixth Form Centre for a one year term of office.

 

5.         DECLARATIONS OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE

 

     Each newly elected Student Councillor and Deputy Student Councillor was invited in turn to sign a Declaration of Acceptance of Office, witnessed by the Deputy Mayor.

 

6.         ELECTION OF CHAIR

 

     Kayleigh Day, Elizabeth Lumley and Ian Rollinson were nominated for election as Chair for 2004/2005.  Each gave a brief election address.

     AGREED that

 

     Kayleigh Day be elected Chair of the Student Council for 2004/2005.

 

7.         RESPONSE FROM THE CHAIR

 

     Kayleigh Day thanked the Student Councillors for the opportunity to Chair the Student Council, in what would be her final year. 

 

8.         APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIR

 

     Elizabeth Lumley and Shane Stoneystreet were nominated for election as Vice-Chair of the Student Council for 2004/2005.

 

     AGREED that

 

     Shane Stoneystreet be appointed Vice-Chair of the Student Council for 2004/2005.

 

9.         FINANCIAL REPORT

 

     the Student Council received a summary of income and expenditure received and approved for the year January 2003 to December 2003 and a financial report to 30 January 2004.

 

     It was noted that an income of £550.89 had been received during the Student Council financial year and the current  balance, as at 31 January 2003, stood at £3678.82.

 

     AGREED that

 

            the financial report be accepted.

 

10.       LOCAL PLAN NO. 3

 

            The Chair welcomed and introduced Stuart Wingfield, a Redditch Borough Council Planning Officer, to the meeting.

 

            Mr Wingfield thanked the Student Council for allowing him to attend the meeting and talk to them about the Borough Council’s Draft Local Plan No.3.

 

            He briefly explained that the Draft Local Plan No. 3 document was a collection of Policies that the Borough Council was looking to adopt which covered a range of issues in respect of the use of land in the town for the next 10 years, such as where housing and industrial developments could or could not be built in specified areas and the protection of existing land uses for community benefit such as the Borough’s parks and open spaces.

 

            He also advised that the Policies included issues on design, size and density of development as well as materials used.  The purpose of the Policies was to ensure that development respected the character of the area and of the town as a whole.

 

            He went on to say that as part of the development of the Local Plan it was a requirement that consultation take place with other professional bodies and residents, including young people, who would all be given the opportunity to put their views forward on the Plan.

 

            He highlighted a number of key areas for young people, including the Abbey Stadium and town centre developments, protection of historical buildings like Trinity College and, for young people looking to purchase / rent their own homes in the future, housing allocations, such as a possible future development of 250 homes to the rear of the Alexandra Hospital. 

 

            Some Students expressed concerns that large housing developments would effect school intake numbers and queried whether the Local Education Authority (LEA) had been consulted on the possible development of this land. Mr Wingfield reported that they had not been specifically contacted on the matter as the land in question was owned by the hospital.  They would, however, automatically be consulted on the Draft Local Plan 3 documents as part of the consultation process.

 

            Mr Wingfield advised that a number of consultation events had been organised around the town at different times, to  give residents, including young people, an opportunity to put forward their views on the Draft document.  He stressed the importance of young people getting involved in discussing issues that would affect them in the future and that they would be very welcome at any of the organised events. 

 

            On a final note, he thanked the Student Council for their time and reported that copies of the Draft Plan were available if anyone was interested

              

 

11.       CONSTITUTION

 

            Councillors noted the Constitution and were advised that, subject to the approval of the Student Council, the document could be amended at  any time to take account of changing circumstances.  The meeting was informed that the document had been discussed during the training weekend and it had been agreed to leave it unchanged for the present.   

                   

     AGREED that

 

     the Constitution, as printed in the Agenda papers, be approved and adopted.

 

12.       TERMS OF REFERENCE

 

            It was noted that, subject to the Student Council’s approval, the Terms of Reference could be amended at  any time to take account of changing circumstances.     

 

     AGREED that

 

     the Terms of Reference, as printed in the Agenda papers, be approved and adopted.

 

13.       GROUND RULES

 

            It was noted that, subject to the Student Council’s approval, the Ground Rules could be amended at any time to take account of changing circumstances.

 

            AGREED that

 

     The Ground Rules, as printed in the Agenda papers, be approved and adopted.

 

14.       OTHER APPOINTMENTS

 

     Steve Skinner briefly explained the role of Spokespersons to Borough Council Committees.  Student Councillors were asked to consider whether they would wish to take on the responsibility of monitoring Council business and bring anything that they considered might be of relevance to other Student Councillors and young people in general, to subsequent meetings of the Student Council for discussion and action if necessary.

 

 

     It was noted that the Chair and Vice-Chair automatically received public copies of the Borough’s Council papers and was agreed that nominated spokespersons receive public copies of the Executive Committee (where, it was explained, most Council business was conducted) and the Planning Committee.

 

     AGREED that

 

     a)                Matthew Jones and Sarah Mullis be appointed as Spokespersons to the Student Council for the  Executive Committee; and

 

     b)                Damien Lewis, Bethan Stone and James Webb be appointed as Spokesperson to the Student Council for the Planning Committee. 

 

15.     LIAISON MEETING

 

           Newly elected members were advised that in the previous year, informal liaison meetings had taken place between Student Councillors and Borough Councillors as a means of developing better relationships and discussing issues and topics of common interest.

 

           Officers advised that the liaison meetings were usually held within a few weeks of each Student Council meeting, at approximately 4.30 pm at the Town Hall on a weekday following the close of the school day.  

 

           Student Councillors noted that it was usual practice to have nan informal agenda prepared for each of the meetings which would be achieved through a standing item on each of the Student Council meeting’s agendas,  when possible topics for discussion could be raised.   They were also advised that Borough Councillors would also be invited to suggest items for the agenda.  

 

           The Student Council was asked if it wished to continue with the informal liaison meetings.  Student Councillors on their second year reported that the meetings were a good idea and offered opportunities to talk to Borough Councillors about issues young people were interested in.    

 

           Following a brief discussion it was agreed to continue with the liaison meetings.  Officers advised that they would be notified of the meetings as and when they were arranged, and that although Student Councillors Kayleigh Day, Damien Lewis, Ian Rollinson, Stephen Shearer, Bethan and Ceinwen Stone, Shane Stoneystreet, Rebecca Styler, James Webb and Ben White had expressed a specific interest in attending the meetings, all Student Councillors were welcome to attend the meetings if they were able to.

 

16.     URGENT BUSINESS PANEL

                      

The Democratic Services Manager explained the function of the Urgent Business Panel, and the need to have a panel of representatives, namely the Chair and one Student Councillor from each of the Schools, to take decisions on behalf of the Student Council, in the event that a decision could not wait until a scheduled meeting.

 

     AGREED that

 

     the following Student Councillors be appointed to the Urgent Business Panel:-

 

Chair

Kayleigh Day

Arrow Vale Community High School

Elizabeth Hancock

Kingsley College

Rebecca  Styler

St Augustine’s High School

Elizabeth Lumley

Trinity High School & 6th Form Centre

Ian Rollinson

 

17.       YOUTH CO-ORDINATOR’S REPORT

 

            Jo Heath introduced herself and, for the benefit of newly elected Student Councillors, briefly outlined her role as the Borough Council’s part-time Youth Project Officer (a temporary post covering the Youth Strategy Officer’s maternity leave), which involved the support and development of projects for young people across Redditch and included allocated hours to work alongside and support the Student Council through:-

 

            a)          Supporting Student Councillors at Student Council meetings and liaison meetings with Borough Councillors;

            b)          Organising and running the Sub-Group meetings; and

            c)          Organising the weekend training residential;

 

            Jo advised that the sub-group meetings, at which most of the general work of the Student Council, such as organising events, were undertaken by Student Councillors willing to give up their free time.  Councillors were advised that meetings had generally been held weekly, usually on Monday afternoons at the Town Hall from 4.00 to 5.30pm.  The day and time was, however, negotiable if it proved necessary.  Councillors were asked to stay behind after the meeting if they were interested in joining the Sub-Group. 

    

     Jo reported that the residential weekend had gone very well with a number of the Student Councillors having been able to attend.  Everyone had enjoyed themselves and the time spent together had enabled the group to get to know each other better.  The work sessions had been focused and had provided an opportunity to have a better understanding of the Student Council and to explore and discuss various issues and ideas.  She went on to say that the ideas put forward were exceptional and that she was looking forward to seeing them come to fruition.

 

18.       WORK PROGRAMME

 

            It was noted that a number of issues considered to be important to young people in the town had been identified and discussed on the training weekend and were put forward for consideration by all members of the Student Council.

 

            A written breakdown of the various topics and ways of  approaching discussions on them during the course of the year was distributed and it was agreed that the following eight topics be put into the work programme for possible future discussion:-

 

            a)       Image of young people (and other people’s perceptions of young people).      

            b)       Access for young people with disabilities.

            c)       Drugs and drug awareness.

            d)       Nothing to Do!.

            e)       Communication.

            f)        Town Centre (and the Police)

            g)       Relationships between different groups

            h)       Community Safety.

            i)        Information and Support

           

            The subject of access for young people with disabilities was considered to be a high priority for discussion.  It was decided, however, that more research, possibly a task for the Sub-Group, would be required before it was ready to be discussed more fully. 

 

            It was therefore agreed to discuss issues of community safety at the first general business meeting of the Student Council in April 2004 with the prioritising of the remaining items to also be considered at that time.  Officers advised that arrangements would be put in hand to invite appropriate speakers.

 

            It was further agreed that the issue of leisure development in the town would be an appropriate topic for discussion with Borough Councillors at the first liaison meeting.  It was also suggested that Council Officers responsible for leisure provision in the town might also be invited to give an update on current developments.

 

            AGREED that

 

the work programme be approved as detailed in the preamble above, subject to review at each meeting of the Student Council.

 

19.       CALENDAR OF MEETINGS

 

     The Student Council considered the schedule of dates for the year 2004 to 2005. 

 

     A number of Students reported that the proposed 3 July 2004 date coincided with an organised work experience week for a number of Student Councillors.  It was noted that the meeting was always difficult to schedule because of school examination and work experience commitments.  The Chair reported that in her experience, most Work Placements were accommodating if students advised that they needed to attend a school related appointment.

 

     Officers agreed to reschedule the July meeting on the understanding that it might not be possible to book a date that would be convenient for everyone to attend.   

 

     AGREED that

 

     subject to Officers rescheduling the meeting arranged for

     3 July 2004, the meetings for the Student Council in the coming year be programmed as follows:-

 

            Wednesday 21 April 2004

            Thursday 3 July 2004 – to be re-scheduled

            Tuesday 14 September 2004

            Thursday 11 November 2004

            Wednesday 12 January 2005

 

20.       OTHER BUSINESS

 

            With the agreement of the Chair, the following item was raised:-

 

            Scrutiny – Redditch Schools Review

 

            Councillor Betty Passingham thanked the Student Council for allowing her to speak and briefly reported that the County Council’s Education Scrutiny Panel was currently looking at the outcomes of the Redditch Review to see if anything could be learned for reviews in other areas of the County.

 

            Councillor Passingham advised that the County Council had initially failed to consult with young people from Redditch schools who had been affected at the time of the review and apologised for the omission.  She had been advised, however, that the Chairman of the Scrutiny Panel had written to the Student Council and had invited Students to share their views on the outcome of the review and whether the subsequent changes had caused them any problems or disruptions.

 

            The Student Council was urged to respond to the consultation process if they felt strongly about the affects the review had had on their schools.  Councillor Passingham advised that the County Council were aware of some of the problems that ensued and did not want to make the same mistakes again.

 

            After a brief discussion, it was agreed that the newly formed Sub-Group would formulate a response to the Chairman. 

 

21.       CONCLUDING REMARKS

           

                                                     The Deputy Mayor offered the Student Council his congratulations and best wishes for a successful year and remarked that he was impressed with the interest and knowledge displayed by the delegation of young people present.

 

                                                     The Chair thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting.

 

The meeting commenced at 10.30 a.m.

and closed at 11.44 a.m.