Youth

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Youth Subcommittee

REPRESENTING THE COMMUNITY'S YOUNG PEOPLE

A formal subcommittee

For many years now New Plymouth District Council has had a Youth Council. In December 2002 the council decided that from 1 January 2004 this would become a formal subcommittee of the council.

The change to a formal subcommittee gives young people real power. They can make formal recommendations to the council, ask for reports from council officers, and request answers to questions. Also, they get paid an attendance allowance, just like councillors do.

Who is on the Youth Subcommittee?

Instead of the old system of 16 members, comprising two from each high school in the district, the new subcommittee consists of 17 members, one from each of the district's high schools and eight others selected at large. The term of membership is two years and everyone is aged between 14 and 19 when selected.

What does the subcommittee discuss?

• If a report to the council or one of its committees will have a big impact on young people, then the report will be referred to the Youth Subcommittee for their comments.
• The members themselves decide what topics they want to know more about or discuss.
• Anyone can speak at a Youth Subcommittee meeting - just let us know a couple of weeks before a meeting.

Who goes to the meetings?

Anyone can turn up and watch what happens - all meetings are open to the public. Remember, if you want to speak at the meeting you need to give us a couple of weeks notice.

Related link

• Youth Subcommittee agendas and minutes