Youth council to be scrapped for new model with a more diverse reach

Rotorua Lakes Council

Rotorua Lakes Council is looking to scrap its youth council, replacing it with a new youth engagement model.

A recommendation to the strategy, policy and finance committee meeting tomorrow suggests the council stops operating the Rotorua Youth Council.

The recommendation is the council approves a new youth engagement model which co-ordinates collaboration with a range of high quality and effective community-led youth programmes.

A report by senior lead adviser sustainability and social development Rosemary Viskovic said the council established a youth council in 2000.

She said the youth council had been providing opportunities for up to 18 young people each year to meet and engage with the council on topics of interest to them and run events for young people.

Rotorua Lakes Councillor Tania Tapsell

"There is a perception that the people applying to be youth councillors do not reflect the diverse range of people in our community."

Due to the range of community-led youth forums, it was timely to review the current model and look at alternatives, the report said.

The proposal includes having a co-ordinator who would be required to link with the existing youth groups and develop a programme that appealed to a more diverse range of young people.

Councillor Tania Tapsell said it was deemed the youth council didn't have a voice on the council.

"Young people wanted to have more of a say. They wanted to provide feedback into council's policies and strategies."

She said part of the new engagement model would see young people doing work experience with council staff.

Miss Tapsell, who was a member of the youth council for two years from when she was 14, said it had been very successful over the years.

"We have had great leaders on the council in the past but we are reaching out to the wider community that anyone who has a desire can be involved."

Strategy, policy and finance committee meeting
Tomorrow, 9.30am in the Council Chamber
On agenda: Easter Sunday Trading Policy deliberations, Draft Digital Strategic Plan, Strategy Youth Engagement Plan.