Young blood

Youth councils are holding local authorities’ services to account – and saving them money, writes Alex Delaney.

New research published last week by the British Youth Council (BYC) reveals that up to 19,800 young volunteers from diverse backgrounds are actively involved in local government, and informing, influencing and participating in local decisions and improving services.

The young volunteers, mostly aged 11-17, are involved through local youth councils, which are making a real difference in their communities. In an audit of 620 youth councils across the UK, young people’s participation in local decision-making had reportedly been increased last year by the majority of youth councils (89 per cent).

Well over three-quarters (85 per cent) of youth councils surveyed had met with their elected councillors and a similar number (80 per cent) had met with the senior staff responsible for services (such as directors of children’s trusts). Almost three-quarters (73 per cent) had met with MPs and in the devolved nations most had also met with their assembly or parliamentary representatives.

The vast majority (94 per cent) stated that they represent the views of young people to local government either through campaigning (87 per cent) or being consulted by decision makers (49 per cent). For example, the Cornwall youth forum helped generate 810 electronic responses to the council’s consultation on its young people’s manifesto.

As a result of their efforts, the quality of youth services was stated to have been improved by almost two-thirds of youth councils (62 per cent), while one in eight felt that they had saved money for their local council (13 per cent). A quarter of youth councils (22 per cent) believed their work had resulted in savings for young people, and threequarters (75 per cent) had increased their community’s awareness of young people’s contribution.

Youth councils also hold local government to account, with two-thirds (64 per cent) helping to review children’s plans, half (51 per cent) sitting on scrutiny panels, and just under half (48 per cent) involved in inspections.

And youth councillors are themselves a diverse group of young people – more representative of their local communities than councillors. The BYC found 7 per cent are of dual heritage, 8 per cent are Asian or Asian British and 7 per cent are Black or Black British, compared to 1.29 per cent, 4 per cent and 2 per cent respectively of the general population – and 0.4 per cent, 2.7 per cent and 0.4 per cent of adult councillors.

Youth councils enable young people from different backgrounds to come together with decision makers. This not only gives young people a voice but improves life for the whole community. It is crucial that youth councils can continue their contribution to the ‘Big society’ and that the involvement of volunteer youth councillors is recognised, alongside good practice of youth councils themselves.

We would like to see decision makers in local, devolved and national governments support the youth council network and the BYC, as the national youth council of the UK.

• Alex Delaney is chair of the British Youth Council