Freddie calls for politicians to listen to young

It was great to see Youth Council leader Freddie Whittaker who lives locally and was involved with the Ruscombe Brook Action Group in it's early days, in the SNJ yesterday. He is keen to make politicians listen more to young people.

Photo: taken from review of Cuckoo Row here

Great stuff - Stroud is fortunate with the Youth Council and the active role it plays - but too many of us 'older' councillors have not got as involved as we perhaps could. Yes I've met with several classes at schools and various other youth groups but most of my contact with the Youth Council has been via SDC Officers. Indeed for example one issue I am currently supporting is Parkour/Free Running - see previous blogs on this - I'm hoping the Youth Council will be able to support the local young people who have ideas about a taster day, poss film and maybe sessions at Stratford Park - anyhow more of that another time I must dash now - the SNJ article on Freddie reads:

Freddie Whittaker wants to make adult politicians to sit up and listen to youngsters not yet able to vote. The 18-year-old heads a body of members from schools, colleges and youth forums who ensure youngsters are involved in decisions in Stroud.

"We're a bridge between young people and Stroud District Council," he said. "If you see litter on the streets in a certain place, maybe the youth council could ask some questions about it. Maybe if you think there are certain places that can be improved or if you think you aren't getting a good enough bus service, then we can help."

The councillors also control an £8,000 youth initiative grant for youth groups, a sports grant for budding Olympians and has received £20,000 to install and run litter recycling bins around Stroud. The council of 11- to 18-year-olds, which meets each fortnight in Stroud Youth Centre, has shadow member for each adult cabinet member, from regeneration and tourism to community safety through to environment and rural affairs.

Freddie said: "Young people would probably not approach the district council and councillors would probably not listen to young people because they're not tax payers, so that's where we can help."

The Archway School pupil, who is studying A-levels in music, music technology and English literature, is the longest serving youth councillor after being elected by his school for four academic years.

"I liked the idea I would be be representing every person in the school," he said. "I've always liked having my say and I wanted to take that to a democratic level. I then realised that I liked taking leader rolls. I liked organising and delegating."

But Freddie, who plays saxophone in the Five Valleys Senior Orchestra and guitar in the band CuckooRow (see elsewhere on this blog for more on Cuckoo Row), wants a career in journalism rather than politics.

"Journalism and politics are very closely linked," he explained.

To contact your youth councillor, you can approach them directly, email them on youth@stroud.gov.uk or fill in the form on www.youth.stroud.gov.uk