Terms Of Reference

North Wiltshire’s Young People’s Council Terms of Reference

The terms of reference need to indicate how the group will run. This includes an understanding of how it will run, where it will run and when it will run. And of course why it will run at all.

Mission Statement (or why?)

We at the Young People’s Council will fight for the rights of young people and represent their views. We have the chance to change things for all young people in our community.

How?

This section details the practicalities of running the YPC. The YPC aim to be as representative a forum as possible while bearing in mind the practicalities of running the group effectively. Issues such as size and logistics of when to hold the meetings will influence just how representative the group can be (for example meetings held in school hours might affect school representatives attending).

Frequency, Venue and Transport

The group have agreed to meet on a monthly basis to discuss and develop core YPC matters. Events and issues that emerge that are linked to the YPC may require additional meetings, such as planning for local democracy week activities. Wherever possible the meetings will be held at the Council Offices. When this is not possible Youth Development Centres in the district will be approached for use. NWDC has made a commitment to ensuring young people attend the YPC at no financial cost to representatives or their families/ guardians. All public transport costs can be refunded on receipt of a ticket at meetings. Where necessary, taxis can be arranged through lead officers at NWDC prior to meeting.

Decision Making

It has been agreed that when decisions need to be made that affects the running of the group or what the group takes on, discussions will be held and a vote then cast. At least 7 group members need to be present to make these decisions.

Officer Support

The YPC is in its development phase and as such has had significant officer input. The group have aspirations that officer led activities will lessen and officer support will ensure young people have the lead in the running of the YPC.

Who?

This section details who the young people are that make up the YPC and their responsibilities in their time on the group.

District Wide

The group represents young people from 13-19 years old. Every secondary school in the district should be represented as well as the college and youth development centres where possible. There are also aspirations for community representatives to sit on the group - those young people not in the education system. This not only represents a good geographical spread but where possible a diverse age range and background. The group size should not exceed 25 people at any one time.

Recruitment and Responsibilities

The current system for recruiting young people on to the YPC has been informal and officer led. It has been agreed that the informal approach will continue, but in a co-ordinated approach with YPC members. This could happen through recommendations from current representatives or through events such as local democracy week activities.

Representatives are expected to sit on the YPC for a minimum of 1 year. This includes attending monthly meetings wherever possible and doing extra work as volunteered at those meetings. It is expected that representatives inform the Youth Involvement Development Officer about their non-attendance before the meetings. Representatives will sit on the YPC for a maximum of 3 years.