What's on the menu?

At our Youth Cabinet meeting tonight we began to work on our idea to create a "Work Experience Menu" for young people across the Vale.  We would like young people to be given the opportunity to pick from a range of work experience placements available at the Vale of Glamorgan Council.  Not only would this give young people the opportunity to experience a potential future career and look amazing on our C.Vs, but it would also raise the profile of the Council as a future place to work.  Something that many young people do not consider! 

We began to draft what information should be given to young people; how young people could get involved; and the process they would have to go through; what the placements should involve; and what skills and opportunities young people should get out of it.  We can't wait to take our idea to the next Vale Youth Forum meeting and run it past the members for their input. 

We also discussed the recent stories in the media about the lack of funding pupils in the Vale receive, and we agreed we would like to find out more information about this and invite Dr Brown to our next meeting.  This follows the recent letter sent out to all parents in the Vale. 

We also completed the National Assembly for Wales' consultation on removing the 'defence of reasonable punishment' and discussed how it would protect children's rights covered in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).  The consultation is open until 2nd April 2018.

Merry Christmas from the Youth Cabinet

At last night's final Youth Cabinet meeting of 2017, we met with Vale of Glamorgan Council Officer Hannah Davies  to learn more about the Council's budget and how there is a need to change the way services are provided.  This video below gives you a good overview of the current situation and how the Council are looking for new ways of working.  If you have any good ideas make sure you let the Council know by completing the current budget consultation.





For the rest of the meeting we went through the agenda and discussed some ongoing areas of work including the Welsh Bacc.  Good news ..... Welsh Government and WJEC are attending our meeting in January so we will be able to have more of an update then!

We are also progressing with trying to increase the number of work experience opportunities available within the Council and did a bit of fact finding about the current workforce.  Did you know the Council employs over 5000 people - we didn't! We also discussed the Council's Rights of Way Improvement Plan which looks at encouraging more people to access the countryside via footpaths and bridleways.

It's become tradition for the Youth Cabinet to do Secret Santa at our Christmas meeting and it was exciting to share our gifts with each other at the end!

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and an amazing 2018!

A new term begins!

Tonight we had our first youth cabinet meeting of the term and we welcomed the two new youth cabinet members, Ben and Ushenka, to the team.  As new members they also had an induction session where they learnt more about the workings of the council, the different roles and responsibilities of Elected Members and how the youth cabinet works with Cabinet Members to ensure the views of young people influence positive change.  

During the youth cabinet meeting we discussed Local Democracy Week when a new Youth Mayor will be voted by young people across the Vale and we discussed strategies to make the voting system equal for all candidates.  We also took part in the current Estyn consultation looking into youth support services in Wales.  Overall, it was an interesting first meeting to start the term.

Last one before Summer!

Tonight we had a Youth Cabinet meeting, our last one before the summer break.  We gave our feedback on a variety of different events and meetings we did attend including the Vale of Glamorgan AGM, Armed Forces Day and the Barry Scout & Guide Fete.

Following the elections that took place in May we learnt more about the new Cabinet at the Vale of Glamorgan Council and the portfolios of the new Members.  We are looking forward to meeting the new Cabinet and working with them next term.  We also reviewed our action plan and seen the final version of our Youth Satisfaction Survey which we have sent to the Vale Youth Service.

#SaluteOurForces

This week is Armed Forces Week and events will be taking place all over the UK to show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community (Royal Navy, British Army & Royal Air Force) and risk their lives to protect us.  

The Vale of Glamorgan Council awarded freedom of the County Borough to the ship's company of HMS Cambria and as an early celebration on Saturday 18th June the ships company marched through Barry town and were led by the Band of HM Royal Marines, Plymouth.  There was an impressive ceremony at King's Square in Barry and then they marched through Barry town centre to the Civic Offices where we watched the Armed Forces Day flag being raised whilst celebrating local residents and veterans who have and are part of the Armed Forces community.   

Armed Forces Day will take place on Saturday 25th June but you can get involved by showing your support and #SaluteOurForces for all they do! Find our more information here.