Issue - meetings

The Assembly received the Barking and Dagenham (BAD) Youth Forum and Young Mayor’s Annual Report, introduced by the Head of Participation, Opportunity and Wellbeing, who then handed over to representatives of the Youth Forum.

The report detailed the achievements of the BAD Youth Forum during the past 12 months outlining the work of each of the sub-groups, their aims and the impact of the work completed.

In February 2022, nominations and election for Members was held online due to increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases.  17 new members joined the forum.

The Forum then gave the following updates on Sub-Group activity.

Community Action Sub-Group:  The Group undertook several activities including:

-  A litter pick;

-  Looking at health (specifically vaping);

-  Trading Standards Test Purchasing;

-  Looking at childhood obesity;

-  Using Tik-Tok (to share key messages); and

-  Tackling Child Exploitation;

Young Mayor Sub-Group: 

-  Zubin Burley was elected as the 8^th Young Mayor of Barking and Dagenham;

-  The Sub-Group selected the Ben Kinsella Trust to fundraise for and to work towards raising awareness of knife crime amongst young people;

-  Due to the cost-of-living crisis, fundraising had been hard; however, the Sub-Group used different ways to fundraise including non-uniform days, Dagenham and Redbridge Football Club bucket shake, summer fate, a quiz night in partnership with the Mayor, attending the Christmas event and holding a Young Mayors Challenge with the Leader.

-  The Young Mayor attended several events including a Ceremonial Council meeting in Barking Town Hall, the Civic Parade and a Citizenship Ceremony, amongst many other events; and

-  To date, the Sub-Group had raised £2042 for charity.

Young Inspectors Sub-Group:  The Young Inspectors group inspected local pharmacies that offer the free condom distribution scheme in Barking and Dagenham- Come Correct. Ten young people regularly carried out inspections during 2022.

During the year, the Forum undertook further activities which included:

- Visiting the Ben Kinsella Trust workshop;

- Youth Independent Advisory Group meetings;

- Helping to shape a disordered eating digital resource;

- A trip to the Houses of Parliament;

- Creating a promotional BAD Youth Forum video;

- A trip to Stubbers Adventure Centre;

- Six consultations; and

- Being part of the London Youth Assembly.

The Assembly thanked the Forum for their presentation and hard work during 2022.

The Assembly resolved to note the BAD Youth Forum Annual Report for 2022, as set out at Appendix A to the report