New youth council to 'give young people a voice'

2 hours ago

Rebecca BrahdeIsle of Man

The youth council would be made up of 12 young people

PA Media A stationary holder with various items sticking out of it with students wearing blue jumpers in a classroom looking ahead at ta screen in the background. — The youth council would be made up of 12 young people

An initiative which aims to engage young people in local politics in the Manx capital will give them "a genuine voice" to shape the city's future, the council leader has said.

Douglas Council is launching a youth council as a one year pilot in a bid to encourage greater engagement with local democracy.

The scheme, set to be introduced in September, would see 12 young people aged between 15 and 18 selected by their peers.

Council Leader Devon Watson said the local authority was "taking steps to train the next generation of politicians and councillors" after a series of uncontested local polls in recent times.

It was an "important step in giving young people a genuine voice in shaping the future of Douglas," he said.

It aimed to help young residents "better understand local democracy while ensuring their views are heard at the heart of decision-making", Watson continued.

Devon Watson said the initiative would target an age croup that was "under represented"

EMMA DRAPER Devon Watson, a man with a beard and short brown hair, he wears a navy sui, and has a bright smile as he stands in the Douglas Council; chamber. — Devon Watson said the initiative would target an age croup that was "under represented"

The youth council would comprise four students from each of St Ninian's High School, Ballakermeen High School and University College Isle of Man (UCM).

The body would be given a £10,000 budget to deliver projects of their choices, and would enable young people to meet councillors, provide input on policies, submit written questions to the council and make recommendations.

The move was the idea of former councillor John Skinner who called for the creation of a junior council last year to influence local politics.

Watson said forums set up specifically for young people could "sometimes be a little bit condescending" and did "little to empower them".

The age range being targeted was the "underserved" as they were "too old to engage in activities with their parents all the time" but were also often too young to have significant incomes.

The initiative would give councillors the chance to directly interact with a sector of the community that "don't otherwise have that strong link into our political system", he added.

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