OYC minutes – 04/09/2024

Town Centre Regeneration Partnership

Rachel appeared before the Youth Council to extend an invite for a few YCllrs to be a part of the Town Centre Regeneration Partnership.

This Partnership – mostly made up of business owners – is in charge of allocating government funds dedicated to the rebuild of the Town Centre, specifically around Union St and Yorkshire St.

They have around £230,000 to spend on these areas, and want young people’s input on how to do so.

They meet monthly, on a Monday at 11am – but are open to changing this in order to make it more youth-friendly.

The Oldham Plan

James from The Oldham Partnership came to consult about what young people would like to be included in the upcoming Oldham Plan.

The Oldham Plan is a proposal of what will be improved in Oldham over the next 5 years.

We had a chance to reflect on our past comments to Muse, and we were asked what we wanted to see improved in Oldham by 2030.

Follow-up questions were asked, such as:

  • What would make Oldham a place you would want to live in by 2030?
  • What would make Oldham a place you would want to work in by 2030?
  • What cultural, leisure, and social spaces would encourage you to meet friends in Oldham?

Additionally, James shared their key missions in creating these plans, which we discussed how these can be achieved.

These missions were:

  • Building homes, building futures.
  • Communities that thrive.
  • Delivering economic growth and opportunity.
  • Pride in Oldham.

ABL Health Referral:

Last meeting, we researched where young people could go online to find information on how to quit vaping, and found that there was none.

Chris enquired about this with the Council and found out that Your Health Oldham is the organisation in charge of this, and yet there is nothing on their website.

Instead, he was sent a referral form, which we shared our opinions on, and worked out if any of the questions asked would deter young people from applying for help.

10 forward:

Last meeting, Muse consulted the Youth Council regarding their plan to build more housing in the Town Centre.

This meeting, they have come to us with a 10 forward, in order to obtain more information from other young people.

A 10 forward is a form, that has been sent to all YCllrs, and once it has been filled out by them, they will send them to 10 more young people and the cycle repeats.

Events and trips:

5th September 10-12 – Town Centre Consultation

12th September – Children and Young People Mental Health Meeting

14th September – Breaking barriers showcase raising money for mental health charities.

20th September – Town Centre board.

23rd September – Mental Health Services Consultation.

Girls group will move from Thursday to Tuesday at 5:30.

Mens group – some people have had direct invites, but others can join – but email Chris first. The initial meeting is on Monday 16th September 6-8pm.

AOB:

Leah paid tribute to those YCllrs who are going to university, as it will be their last meeting for a while.

Chris – asked YCllrs if they should book tickets to Scarefest.