Hednesford Town Council school meetings aim to get young people involved

Town councillors in Hednesford are reaching out to schools and other youth groups to help shape the future of the community.

The move is a key part of on-going efforts to encourage different groups from across the community to have a voice.

Councillors want to hear from pupils about what they would like to see happen in terms of youth activity provision and their views on the broad range of issues the face the town today.

They are reaching out to headteachers and others with a view to how best to listen to young people and potentially holding a council meeting in a school in December this year.

This approach will help younger Hednesford residents speak up and be listened to on what they consider important for the town.

Councillor Kathryn Downs is leading council efforts to engage young people.

She said: “We want to open the council up to everyone and young people who as a group, aren’t represented on the council. There is a lack of provision in Hednesford for young people and we need to hear from them on what’s needed and why.

“We are appealing for young people to get involved, to come along and listen and make their voices heard. We want them to understand more about how they can make a difference to their community.

“We are steadfast in bringing local democracy to all our young people and are now requesting a meeting with schools to discuss the possibility of bringing our regular council meeting out to them.

“It’s important that we listen and talk to young people and we are committed to making this happen in the most suitable way for them.”