During their residential at the end of March 2008 the Youth Cabinet went through the issues raised by young people and have prioritised them to come up with the following 9 broad headings for the manifesto. These are:

• Transport • Education • Environmental Issues • Housing
• Tackling Bullying • Better Schools with access for all
• Community Safety • Something To Do; Somewhere to Go • Positive Images with Positive Recognition

Having identified the 9 broad issues and actions against these the manifesto was circulated for consultation to youth groups, schools and youth organisations. They were asked to discuss, agree and help prioritise the top issues to be taken forward for the debate and agreement at Youth Parliament in July ‘08. The list of issues on the right represents the top issues to be debated at Youth Parliament- with the idea being to prioritise these further to come up with the top three.

What happens next?
Once the manifesto and the top three issues have been agreed, the Youth Cabinet will be developing an action plan to tackle these issue. They will also be commissioning projects that address these issues and benefit all young people in Sandwell.

The Youth Cabinet will also be discussing the issues highlighted with local Councillors, Sandwell’s Cabinet and our local MPs amongst others. Through this process we hope to not only gain support for our manifesto but also a commitment from the Council, it’s partners and our political leaders to help us in realising our aspirations and the needs of young people in Sandwell.

Regular updates will be provided through Sandwell’s Youth Service website at:
www.youngpeople.sandwell.gov.uk


What we want

Something to do and somewhere to go
SSYC believe that whilst there are ample opportunities for young people to have things to do and places to go, we feel these are disjointed and limited in what they provide. The idea of having a super youth centre would provide young people with a one stop shop in their town where they would be able to access a range of services meeting their needs.

Transport
SSYC believe that young people should have access to free public travel up to the age of 18. We feel that it is unfair to expect them to stay in full-time education until the age of 18 and get actively involved in their community without providing free travel to enable them to do this.

Tackling Bullying
SSYC believes that all young people have the right to live in an environment that is free from abuse and are respected as individuals.

Positive Images with Positive Recognition
SSYC believes that young people are passionate about the environment and that we all have a role to play in reducing carbon emissions.

Community Safety
SSYC believes that too often young people are misrepresented and unfairly treated in terms of community safety. We accept that a minority do create anti-social behaviour but young people are more likely to be the victims of crime.

Education
SSYC believes that young people have the right to free further education and should not have to start their working life in debt. We believe that young people should have more choices in terms of education and should be integral to decisions on course availability and local curriculum.

For more information please contact:
Tariq Karim
Tel: 0121 569 8414
E-mail: tariq_karim@sandwell.gov.uk

Steve Walker
Tel: 0121 569 8414
E-mail: steve_walker@sandwell.gov.uk

Ian Clews
Tel: 0121 569 8414
E-mail: ian_clews@sandwell.gov.uk