YOUNG people in Melksham will have the chance to have their say about local issues, as the town council has agreed to set up a Youth Advisory Board.
Councillors unanimously supported the idea at the full town council meeting on Tuesday 28th May, that would see youth representatives sit on various sub-committees and working groups in an advisory role. Young people will not be able to vote on matters, but will be able to support councillors in giving solutions.
The board would be open to young people aged up to 18 years old, or up to 25 years of age for those with special education needs and disabilities (SEND).
Putting forward the motion cllr Charlie Stokes said, “Young people in the area are eager to contribute their ideas on improving Melksham town’s success, however, they feel that because of their age, they are not listened to. It is the duty of the town council to ensure that all the residents, regardless of age, are represented and heard.”
Cllr Stokes said she had been in discussions with other town councils, such as Ringwood Town Council, which has run the scheme in the past, and Stone Town Council, which is also looking to start the scheme.
She also said Melksham Town Council could work with Melksham Oak Community School, which currently has a student council, to help facilitate this. She also said the scheme would contribute towards the volunteering section of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
Supporting the motion, cllr Jon Hubbard said, “I am really delighted to see this, we have spoken about it on many occasions, it’s just fantastic to see an actual proposal in front of us finally. Young people are the only residents in our community who by rights, cannot be represented on this council. They have no legal right to be here at all. To create that right for them, I think, is brilliant and really important.
“We need to think about how we can make it more interesting, inspiring and attractive for them to take part and participate.”
The next steps are for cllr Stokes to work with cllr Hubbard around safeguarding. Cllr Hubbard also suggested meeting with a Wiltshire Council officer who set up Wiltshire Youth Council, to learn more about how the scheme could work.
