Youngsters meet council bosses
Recently- elected Scottish Youth Parliament members came face-to-face with three of Renfrewshire Council’s senior decision makers last week.
Council leader Iain Nicolson, chief executive Sandra Black, and head of early years and inclusion John Trainer met up with Renfrewshire’s member of the Scottish Youth Parliament ( MYSPs ) for an informal chat at Renfrewshire House.
The five MSYPs – all aged between 15 and 17 – used the opportunity to gain advice and to discuss some of their constituents’ issues, including availability of transport, education and the rights of Renfrewshire’s young people.
Ma r i a A l a m, for Renfrewshire North and West, Niamh McLaughlin, Paisley, Ross Boyd, Paisley, Josh Kennedy Renfrewshire North and West and Stirling McGee, Renfrewshire South, were also invited to attend the next full council meeting at Renfrewshire House.
The MSYPs were also offered a chance to shadow the council leader for a day.
Councillor Nicolson said: “It was really interesting to meet up with our young representatives and to discuss matters that have been brought to their attention.
“Our MSYPs provide a much-needed platform for Renfrewshire’s youngsters to raise issues that impact on their daily lives and their future.
“They have such an important role to play in helping to shape the lives of our younger generation.
“Their passion, d e t e r mina t i o n and dedication have been obvious to us today.
“I have invited them to be part of our next full council meeting in December and for them to come up with a motion that all of us together can debate on the day.”
After the meeting, Stirling McGee, MSYP for Renfrewshire South, said: “We are really grateful to have been given an insight into Renfrewshire Council’s business and to have had the privilege to chat with the leader, Sandra Black and John Trainer.
“I was thrilled when Councillor Nicolson offered us the chance to shadow him for the day in his role as council leader.
“That will be such a valuable learning experience for myself and my fellow members.”
Niamh McLaughlin, MSYP for Paisley, added: “One of our goals as MSYPs is to make Scotland the best place in the world to grow up in.
“As representatives of Renfrewshire’s young people, we celebrate the right to express views freely and have our opinions listened to.
“Discussing some of the subjects that affect young people with senior council members has given us a real insight into how things can change and improve for our generation.”