Archived press release

Date Published: 27/09/07

Young people in Aylesbury Vale are to play a major role in determining how £135,000 worth of government funding will be spent on youth projects and activities in the district. The money has been allocated from two government initiatives &nd...

Young people in Aylesbury Vale are to play a major role in determining how £135,000 worth of government funding will be spent on youth projects and activities in the district.

The money has been allocated from two government initiatives – the Youth Opportunity Fund and Youth Capital Fund. The funds are designed to involve young people, particularly those who are disadvantaged, in identifying positive activities in their neighbourhood.

Young people across the district are being invited to make bids for grants for youth projects, individual schemes or facilities they would like to develop.

Responsibility for allocating the grants is being delegated to two specially established young people’s panels covering Aylesbury and the rural areas of the district. Buckinghamshire County Council’s Youth Service is taking the lead in the project, with support from Aylesbury Vale District Council.

The panels, whose members range from the ages of 13 to 19 years, have designed guidance notes, application forms and agreed application deadlines and processes. They have a key role in making the decisions as to what money goes where, as well as acting as project leaders and participants.

The initiative also provides opportunities for young people in the district to have a voice on issues that affect them, and to develop their own community projects.

In addition, the panels will play a very real part in the decisions made about services for young people provided by Buckinghamshire County Council and AVDC. The panels will be transformed into district youth cabinets later this year and will have a direct role in shaping local services for young people.

Councillor Margaret Dewer, Buckinghamshire County Council Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “These funds have provided an ideal opportunity for young people in Buckinghamshire to play an active role in improving services and projects for other young people. Already the funds have had a significant impact, not only on those young people involved in the decision-making process, but also in the range of projects that have benefited. The continuation of the funds until 2011 promises to further develop young people’s skills and abilities, giving them an important voice in their communities.”

Councillor David Thompson, AVDC Cabinet Member for Leisure, said: “The funds will give a voice and influence to young people, particularly those who are disadvantaged. Giving young people the chance to develop things to do and places to go within their own area means that they take full ownership of the projects they get involved in. If young people are to play a full and active role in a democratic society they must feel that they have a stake in their own communities. We want to improve provision based on what young people say they want and to also provide opportunities for them to gain new skills and knowledge.”

All the young people on the panels are fully trained and accredited for their work. Training is also available to all new members.

The panels meet monthly at Winslow Youth Centre (rural panel) and Spurgeons in Walton Road, Aylesbury (town panel). Anyone interested in becoming part of these groups, or wishing to apply for a grant, should contact Di Gosling on 01296 382543 or email degosling@buckscc.gov.uk