Agenda item

To consider and discuss the Annual Report.

Leah, the Chair of the Youth Council, presented the item. The Council was thanked for its support for the Youth Council and for making the work possible through funding.

It was noted that there had been 40 new Youth Councillors in the last 12 months. The work of the Youth Council was highlighted, particularly campaigns regarding vapes and the ‘Credible Witness’ campaign, motions brought to Oldham Council meetings and the Make Your Mark consultation. It was also noted that representatives from the Youth Council attend meetings of other organisations, such as the Oldham Town Centre Board, the GMP Youth Scrutiny panel and the GMP Independent Advisory Group.

The work of the Youth Council regionally, nationally and internationally was highlighted, including work with the Greater Manchester Youth Combined Authority and the Youth Parliament, as well as international trips to Poland as part of the Listen to the Earth Program. The findings of the Youth Council’s Annual Review were shared with the Board, including positive feedback from members of the Youth Council.

The plans for the Youth Council’s work for the rest of 2025 were highlighted including the ‘Votes at 16’ campaign, Mental Health and the 2025 Make Your Mark campaign. It was noted that the Government had recently announced a change in legislation regarding Votes at 16, and it was highlighted that Oldham Youth Council had been calling for this since 2012.

Members noted the success of the HAF activity and the Youth Council motion to Full Council but highlighted that there is some stigma and barriers around accessing this, particularly in regard to universal access and the number of places. It was noted that the original Youth Council motion did call for this. Members also questioned why some schools didn’t take part in the Youth Council, and it was noted that some schools have low numbers of pupils and that there were difficulties encouraging young people to take part in some schools.

Members asked for an update on the Vapes campaign, particularly around why the posters had proven to be an issue, and it was noted that the posters covering physical and mental health had gone against NHS advice by highlighting the risks of vaping, and that the posters were being relooked at to contain the tagline ‘Healthier doesn’t mean healthy’.  It was also raised as to whether there is feedback as to why Youth Councillors may be answering no to questions in the annual report, particularly around clear accountability and relationships with senior decision makers. Members were informed that feedback is taken in those cases and that in some cases this was due to things being asked for that were out of the remit of the Youth Council, i.e. NHS questionnaires being set at a national level. It was also noted that, in regard to clear accountability, that young people were, in some cases, going to the wrong places for help or lacked awareness of what the Youth Council actually did. The Youth Council are working on a campaign for suggestion boxes so that young people can offer suggestions and feedback to the Youth Council.

Members queried what had been done regarding the Youth Council motion that should have been brought to the December 2024 meeting of the Full Council, and it was noted that the motion was brought to the March 2025 meeting instead. It was also noted that the Youth Council’s stationary campaign had now ended with the stationary having been distributed.

The Youth Council were encouraged by members to liaise with the Chair of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Board to suggest items for the Board to consider.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.