Youth engagement commission recommendations

Youth engagement in the city has been given a boost with the publication of a set of recommendations following the extensive work of the city's multi agency youth commission set up last year to improve communications and links with young Glaswegians and organisations.

The action plan includes everything from looking at ways to improve the voice of young people in decision making processes to exploring ways in which we can lessen the financial burdens in the first year of looked after young people leaving care by waiving their first year's council tax.

The published report received cross party support at the council's Executive Committee today (Thursday 2 February).

The special youth commission was chaired by Councillor Martin McElroy and made up of elected members, young people and representatives from a variety of youth organisations in the city.

A wide range of topics that could affect and present barriers to a young person in Glasgow today were identified, discussed and researched by the commission who were tasked with coming up with a framework and solutions to tackle the issues raised by young people.

The report also looks at the positive engagement that is already in place within our schools and local communities and how the council and stakeholders can build on this good practice.

As Chair of the commission, Councillor McElroy is keen to promote the recommendations and action plan as wide as possible, to help bring change and share the good work of the commission.

He said today: "This has been an incredibly important piece of work and very refreshing to engage with a variety of young people and youth groups across the city.

"The council identified the need to find out how young people felt they were being treated, viewed and listened to - only then can we make changes or target our services to meet their needs.

"The commission has also been about partnership working and I would like to thank all the groups and individuals, organisations and groups that have put forward their views and ideas over the last year.

"What's important now is that we work together to deliver on the recommendations outlined in the report."

Read the full report and recommendations here