Youth Council will give kids a say in the future

Windsor and Maidenhead: Young people to be more involved in decision making

A youth council is set to launch in Windsor and Maidenhead so that young people can have more of a say on the future of the borough.

At a cabinet meeting on Thursday, February 25, councillors voted to establish a youth council, with many members speaking positively about the plans to involve young people more in decision-making processes.

Introducing the proposal, Councillor Stuart Carroll (Con, Boyn Hill), cabinet member for education, said: “For young people, this is an opportunity to learn new skills, confidence building, working in teams, a lot of those social skills which are so important when young people enter the workforce.

“There’s nothing but positive impacts from this proposal, the positive impact to get young people more involved in the local community and local democracy has to be a good thing.”

“Once upon a time in another life I was the chair of the previous youth council, so it has been an enjoyable experience and a rewarding experience working with the next generation of young people who are looking to get engaged in the policies that shape their area.

“There’s a lot of passion on issues to show that next generation of leadership for our young people.”

Once formed, the council would be involved in national youth issues as well as council business.

Representatives from the council would initially be taken from existing youth groups in the area, including The Girls Policy Forum,

Kickback, Youth Ambassadors, the Esteem Project and SEN Life Skills Group.

The plans also received support from across the chamber, but Cllr Gurch Singh (Lib Dem, St Mary’s) warned all members that they ought to set a better example with their own conduct following a number of controversial comments at meetings of late.

He said: “We have really got to set an example with these kids, we are supposed to be role models in this council.

“All these little digs at each other in meetings, little jibes, it’s not really fair, and kids do pick up on this sort of stuff. Let’s go with the spirit of what we’re saying, actions speak louder than words, and let’s work together across the chamber because we can learn a lot of stuff from these kids.

“I’m going to set a real good example for these guys to follow, and I hope everyone in this chamber does.”

‘We have really got to set an example with these kids’

Changes to polling stations have been agreed by Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) ahead of this year’s local and police and crime commissioner elections.

The move is in response to the on-going coronavirus restrictions and has been carried out to ensure residents can cast their votes safely and securely.

Elections are due to take place on Thursday, May 6.

Polling station venues have been changed at several locations across the borough, including the following stations in the Hurst and Remenham, Wargrave and Ruscombe wards:

W RBM in Remenham, Wargrave and Ruscombe Ward – The location will move from Hare Hatch Village Hall to Wargrave Pavilion.

W HAM in Hurst Ward – This

location will move from Mobile Unit at Warren Public House in Hurst to Hurst Village Hall.

In the event of more polling stations needing to be re-designated, it has been agreed that Andrew Moulton, assistant director of governance will decide on a new location in liaison with the relevant ward members.

This will allow the elections team to notify the affected residents about the change in polling station as quickly as possible and replace the need for either the council or a special council executive committee meeting to come to a decision.

A number of safety measures are set to be implemented at the polling stations including hand sanitiser and plastic screens.

Voters are asked to wear a face covering at all times, adhere to the social distancing rules and are encouraged to bring their own pens.

Residents who are clinically vulnerable or shielding are encouraged to vote by post and they can apply for this now.

Residents will receive a polling card, which informs them that the elections are taking place in their area and provides details of where and when they can vote.

Individuals will not need the polling card with them to vote, but will be asked to provide their name and address to a staff member on duty.

Andrew Moulton, assistant director governance, said: “As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we want to make people aware that there may be a polling station change in their area.

“Our top priority in planning for these elections is to ensure that all polling stations are safe.

“There is also still time to apply for a postal vote, and I would encourage residents to do so in good time before the deadline of 5pm on Tuesday 20 April, especially for residents who are shielding.”

For more information about wards and when, where and how to vote visit: www.wokingham.gov.uk and search ‘elections 2021’.