Young people appointed to council committee

Two young people have been appointed to a local council to give their opinions on the issues directly affecting them.

Charlie and Natasha joined the children and young people scrutiny committee on West Berkshire Council and attended their first meeting last month.

Heather Codling, deputy leader of the council and executive member for children and family services, said she was "delighted" to make the new appointments.

Plans are afoot to eventually have 24 elected places and six co-opted places on West Berkshire Youth Council (WMYC).

Ms Codling added: "It is so important that young people have a voice in local issues and get the opportunity to help shape the services that we provide for them."

The new appointments followed a competitive recruitment process.

Committee chairman Dominic Boeck, who was on the interview panel, said: "I was so impressed by the quality of the applications we received and how well all the young people answered our questions.

"I think that the appointment of Charlie and Natasha is a positive move that will bring a fresh perspective to scrutiny and will challenge us to consider the voice of young people as part of everything that we do."

The children and young people scrutiny committee was created in May and oversees all local authority services for children and young people.

Membership for WMYC will be open to all young people.

If the plans are approved by the council executive on Thursday, young people will be able to stand for election if they are aged between 11 and 17 years on the day of the election, or up to 23 years for those with learning disabilities.

The co-opted places will be for young people from under-represented groups, such as students not in mainstream education, or young carers.

During the first year of office, members of WBYC will consult with local young people, prepare a manifesto and agree the campaigns that they wish to work on.

The UK's approach to national policy on youth councils is currently in a state of development, with the government working on a new National Youth Strategy.