Wellington City Youth Council
Annual Report for the Period March – December 2015

Purpose
The Wellington City Youth Council’s purpose is to: 
•	Assist and advise the [Wellington] City Council on how to help grow a great City where young people thrive and contribute to the City Council’s priorities,  
•	Bring extra insight to Council (a youth perspective) to solve problems facing a changing world, and 
•	Develop the capabilities of its members (including leadership and engaging wider youth).
Annual Work Programme
The Youth Council carried out a process, starting 29 April 2015, to plan for the year ahead (covered in this Annual Report), and to plan for where the Youth Council would like to see the Youth Council be in 10 years’ time. Rod Baxter from the Wellington Boys’ and Girls’ Institute (BGI) came for 2 of our 3 sessions to provide guidance around long term planning and goal setting. Simon Wright, former Senior Advisor of Consultation and Engagement at Wellington City Council, provided guidance around the Council’s 2015 Work Programme, and from there, the Youth Council set out its’ priorities for the remainder of 2015.
The Youth Council also participated in the first Joint Letter of Agreement process between the Wellington City Council and the Youth Council, to ensure effective communication and collaboration between the two organisations, and to make sure that the City Council got the best advice from the Youth Council on Council policy about, or concerning, young people. The agreed copy of the Joint Letter of Agreement is attached to this document as Appendix 1.
The following table is the Youth Council's obligations under the Joint Letter of Agreement, and whether or not they were completed, and to what extent.
Member Development	Completed. Attend youth engagement conferences such as the Lower North Island Youth Council Conference and Resilient Wellington Launch Conference, and all members participated in long-term goal setting for the Youth Council. New members also participated in a mock submission process as part of the induction to Youth Council. 	
Long Term Plan	Submitted in favour of the proposals in the 2015-25 Long Term Plan	
Urban Growth Plan	Submitted in favour of the proposals of the Urban Growth Plan in the 2015-25 Long Term Plan	
Policies and Plans	Completed. Policies submitted on mentioned in this report.	

Recruitment and Induction
Following the resignations of eight Youth Councilors in early 2015, the Youth Council held a formal recruitment process between May and July 2015, following the procedures set out in the Terms of Reference, to bring the Youth Council’s membership to 20. The Youth Council agreed to a targeted recruitment strategy, to ensure a diverse range of members, and the Youth Council received 20 applications. After taking the candidates through a mock workshop based on the City Council’s draft Climate Change Action Plan, the Chair, Deputy Chair, and Liaison Officer shortlisted the candidates in order to make the interviewing process much more concise. Interviews took place in Committee Room 2 in the Council offices, and the Chair, Deputy Chair, and Liaison Officer all took part in the interviewing, as well as former Deputy Chair and current member, Sean Johnson, who filled for the Chair when she was absent. Based on the candidates’ performance in the interviews and the mock workshop, the Chair, Deputy Chair, and Liaison Officer, appointed 8 new members to the Youth Council.
Following the recruitment process, the Youth Council held an induction process, which had existing Youth Council members lead groups of new members, and prepare a mock submission on the draft Climate Change Action Plan. Once the submission was completed, the new Youth Council members presented their submissions orally to a mock Council panel, including the Chair, Deputy Chair, Moana Mackey, Cr Woolf, Jack Marshall and Sean Johnson.  
Youth Council Alumni Society
As part of the discussions with the Governance, Finance and Planning Committee of the Wellington City Council, at the presentation of the 2014 Youth Council Annual Report, the Youth Council agreed to form an Alumni Society to enlist former Youth Council members to continue their contribution to young people in Wellington. 

Policies and Plans
The Youth Council formally submitted, both in written form and orally, on six policies and plans proposed by the City Council and Parliament. These submissions were required to be submitted on as a condition of the Joint Letter of Agreement between the Youth Council and the City Council. The submissions are outlined below, with a brief explanation of the Youth Council’s position.
2015-25 Long Term Plan
The Youth Council took a critical part in the deliberations on the 2015-2025 Long Term Plan, and was pleased with the opportunity to submit on the final proposals. The Youth Council was largely in support of the proposals and principles of focussing Council investment on projects aimed at growing the local economy. Issues that the Youth Council raised through its’ submission were support for a civics education centre on Site 9 of the Waterfront, and the need to secure a long-haul air carrier if the airport runway extension was to be a success. The Youth Council also submitted in favour of the Urban Growth Plan and Waterfront Development Plan along with its submission on the Long Term Plan. 
Mt Victoria Master Plan
The Youth Council submitted in support of the strategic direction of the Mt Victoria Master Plan, and strongly supported recommendations to increase the scope of recreational activities available, expand community engagement, and work towards native regeneration and, in certain places, build separate walking and cycling trails. The Youth Council also made additional recommendations to expand the lower speed initiative in Alexandra Road to surrounding areas, preserve car access to Mt Victoria, and look at lighting improvements around the summit area and Alexandra Road.
Gambling Policy
The Youth Council welcomed the opportunity to submit on the Gambling Policy. We were greatly concerned about the devastating impact gambling can have on many families, and did not wish to live in a community where gamblers are exploited. As such, we urged the Council to adopt policies to restrict the number of gambling machines in Wellington. This included supporting policies to cap the number of pokie machines, not allow new machines to be implemented, and restricting the number of gambling machines in low socio-economic areas. We also noted, however, that harmful gambling can easily occur online, in a space outside of Council's ambit. Nonetheless, we made our views known to Council through this submission.
Town Belt Bill
The Youth Council was privileged to speak to Parliament’s Local Government and Environment Select Committee on the Wellington Town Belt Bill, supported by Wellington Central MP, Grant Robertson. The Youth Council supported mainly in favour of the proposed bill, but wanted to ensure future infrastructural development on the Town Belt was minimal, and not subject to the Public Works Act. Three Youth Councilors orally submitted to the Select Committee, and received wide spread praise from MPs on their presentation. It was an amazing experience for the Youth Council to present to Parliament.

Member Development
As set out in the Youth Council’s Terms of Reference, one of the purposes of the Youth Councils is to develop the capabilities of its members (including leadership and engaging wider youth). One of the major forms of member development in 2015 was the Youth Council’s attendance at the Lower North Island Youth Council Conference, held in Levin. Members that attend the conference developed skills in relationships, submission writing, public speaking, and group work. 
New Youth Councillors took part in a mock submission process as part of the Youth Council’s induction programme, while incumbent Youth Councillors ran the process, helping new members with writing the submissions, and preparing them for the oral presentations to a panel of mock Councillors. Both new and existing members of the Youth Council gained various skills from this process, including leadership, public speaking, and submission writing, all key skills for any Youth Councillor. 
In 2016, the Youth Council will undertake a professional development programme for all members to develop skills and training necessary for being a Youth Councillor, and for the future. Topics will include team work, recruitment, event management, meeting etiquette, and leadership.

Issues to Consider
The Youth Council experienced various issues with meeting attendance and communication outside of meetings. Many Youth Councillors were not attending meetings and not apologising, a requirement of the Youth Council’s Terms of Reference. However, following a series of meetings between the Chair and Deputy Chair and Democratic Services staff, the Youth Council decided to adopt its’ own Attendance Policy. This policy was unanimously approved by the Youth Council, and sets out expectations of member’s participation on Youth Council, during and outside of meetings. 
The Youth Councils also wishes to note the transition period from Consultation and Engagement into Democratic Services. While the Youth Council did experience minor challenges with the prolonged absence of a Governance Advisor, the transition went very well, and thanks Council staff for their support during this period.
Acknowledgments
The author of this report wishes to thank the Youth Council’s Governance Advisor, James Mather, for his overwhelming support of the author during the drafting of this report. The author wishes to thank the 2016 Chair and Deputy Chair, Siobhan Davies and Melissa Gibson, for their support of the author and their outstanding leadership they show as Chair and Deputy Chair of the Youth Council.
The Youth Council wishes to thank those Council staff who helped with the Youth Council in 2015, including Simon Wright, Helen Walker, Fiona Lewis, Kate Irvine, and James Mather, for their contribution to the Youth Council during this time period. The Youth Council also wishes to thank Councillor Simon Woolf for his continued advocacy of the Youth Council in the public and Council domains, as well as all Councillors for supporting the Youth Council. 
The Youth Council looks forward to presenting this Annual Report to the Governance, Finance and Planning Committee on the 25th of August 2016.

Yours sincerely,

Ollie Michie
Member of the Wellington City Youth Council
Author of the 2015 Youth Council Annual Report

Appendix 1 – Summary of Meetings
Youth Council – Annual Report 
The 2016 Annual Report covers the period March 2015 – December 2015, as per letter of agreement. The report is due to be presented to committee by 30th June 2016. 

March 2015 

Submission on Local Government Reform
-	The YC’s submission on the reform of local government in the Wellington region was submitted to the Local Government Commission. The YC has requested an oral submission (occurred 2nd April). 

Child Friendly Cities Forum
-	Anya, Erin, Sebastian and Tim reported on the Forum. Anya has a follow up meeting regarding ‘constitutional education’. The reason for this new area of school study is that many young people do not like social studies.

Election of Chair and Deputy-Chair 
-	Siobhan was elected to the position of Chair and Ollie to the position of Deputy Chair

Social Housing Submission 
-	Work began, not submitted (as per April notes)

April 2015 

Victoria Street Upgrade
-	Richard Galloway went through the latest plans for the Victoria Street upgrade and noted how the Youth Council’s input had been used.
Mount Victoria Master Plan 
-	Submission made by Grace and Sebastian
Annual Report Presentation 
-	Jack M, Sean, Siobhan and Ollie presented
New Zealand Flag consultation
-	Anya, Tim, Jack C-H, Naimh, Jack M, Grace and Justina went to the early engagement meeting for the New Zealand Flag project on 7 April.

May 2015

Draft Gambling Policy
-	Brittany, Daisy, Grace, Jack C-H and Siobhan formed a working group to develop a YC submission by 22 May on the draft Gambling Policy.
-	
YC recruitment
-	Ollie moved that the Youth Council follow a targeted recruitment programme as proposed in a meeting briefing paper. Siobhan seconded this motion and it was passed

Waterfront Plan 2015-18 submission
-	A copy of the ratified Waterfront Plan 2015-2018 submission was circulated.

Draft Cycling Framework
-	Sebastian, Jack M, Grace, Ollie and Timothy formed a working group to develop a YC submission by 29 May on the draft Cycling Framework. Sebastian will lead the working group.

June 2015

Climate Change Action Plan review workshop
-	Workshop held on the upcoming review of the WCC’s Climate Change Action Plan 2013 (CCAP)

July 2015

Youth Week 
Held and was a success;
Positives from the YC Youth Week events included:
•	Further developed relationships with other youth groups
•	The relationship with the WCC Community Services provided additional expertise and resources
•	The lunchtime performances and events were well received and raised the profile of the YC in the WCC and on Facebook
•	The YC’s workshop was well organised

Alumni Society Established
-	Simon Wright as first honorary member
-	Merged the working group with the Youth Council History Group

August 2015

-	Quiet month; Family Function, Practicing submissions 

September 2015

Youth Conference

-	The 2015 Lower North Island Youth Councils’ Conference is being held in Levin on Tuesday 29 September.  There was a high level of interest in attending and Helen distributed registration forms.  Kate will take a car with 3 or 4 passengers and Helen will advise of any other arrangements that the Council can help with such as sending a second car.

Town Belt
-	Jack Marshall advised the Youth Council that Parliament’s Local Government and Environment Select Committee is currently reviewing the Town Belt Bill. He suggested the Youth Council should put together a working group to review the proposed Bill and draft a submission on behalf of the Youth Council. The Town Belt Bill’s submission deadline is 29 October. 
-	The following members nominated themselves for the Town Belt Bill working party: Jack Marshall, Sean Johnson, Sebastian Klinkum, Cameron Wright, Petelo Leaupepe, Ollie Michie and Teri O’Neill. Sebastian will lead the working group. 

Social Housing 
-	Morgan Watkins will be travelling to Europe in 2016 and has offered to go on a ‘fact finding mission’ to find out how Europe house their students and is there any ideas that the Youth Council can utilise for Wellington students

October 2015

Biodiversity Strategy
-	The Youth Council proposed setting up a working group in November or December to consider what involvement they might have.  

Access Radio
-	There was some discussion about the invitation from Access Radio to make a radio programme.  Access Radio was open to suggestions.  A number of youth councillors are interested and it was agreed to set up a working group: Teri, Jack C-H, Ollie, Sophie, Jack M, Justina and Sean.  Jack C-H to be the lead
-	Jack will discuss with a member of the Communications Team any risks or issues associated with this.

Professional Development
-	YC brainstormed here; Topics could include event management; recruitment; submission writing; facilitation and chair training.  The Ministry of Youth Development and the City Council HR team are keen to support and assist. 

Appendix 1 – Letter of Agreement 

Chair – Wellington Youth Council
Wellington City Council
101 Wakefield Street, PO Box 2199
WELLINGTON 6140
Dear Chair 
Re: Letter setting the Work Programme for the Wellington Youth Council (WYC)
Purpose of this letter
I am writing to you as the Chair to clarify the Council’s priorities and outline Council’s expectations for the Youth Council over the next 12 months.
The WYC is part of Council and I know that your group wants to contribute in the best possible way to our City. This letter will help focus the work of the group so that Council officers can engage with you at an early stage and in an effective way.
WYC’s work over the next 12 months
The City Council recently finalised its Annual Plan (AP) and is working on developing the 2015-25 Long Term Plan (LTP). It is important that the work of your advisory group aligns with the priorities of the AP and LTP.
We want you to bring your experience as a group to help solve problems and find solutions for the work streams below. This is consistent with your group having deeper and more-ongoing involvement with the work-streams of greatest priority to the City.
Key AP and LTP priorities	ERG input	
Member development:
A key purpose of the Youth Council is to develop the capabilities of its members; including leadership and engaging wider youth.  Council will facilitate the participation of members in development opportunities as they arise.     	Work with officers to participate in the Rotary Young Leaders event, the Local NZ workshop being organised with the McGuiness Institute, regional youth council workshops and other relevant events and training throughout the year.  	
2015-25 Long-term Plan:
The Council is developing its plan for the next ten years.  As part of this work it is wanting to engage with young people in Wellington on its future direction and key projects that the Council is wanting to progress.	Work with officers to develop and deliver activities to engage young people in the 2015-25 long-term Plan.    	
Urban Growth Plan:
The Urban Growth Plan will inform Council’s focus and investment in urban development and transport as part of the LTP.  It brings together and links the strategic approach to, and key projects in, these areas.   	Work with officers to increase public and stakeholder understanding of the Plan.  Work with officers to develop and implement key strategies and projects as part of the Plan such as our approach to public transport and projects such as the redevelopment of Victoria Street.	
Policies and Plans:
The Council will be developing and reviewing key policies and plans over the course of the year.  It will work with WYC members to develop, communicate and elicit feedback from the community on those pieces of work most relevant to young people.  	Work with officers to develop, communicate and elicit feedback on key policies and plans including the Psychoactive Substances Policy, the South Coast management Plan and the Suburban Reserves Management Plan 	

As part of Council’s wider engagement, the Council will also consult with other groups on the issues that we bring to WYC. Furthermore, the above list does not preclude the WYC from having input into other Council projects and policies as these become apparent during the year.  Such items can be considered by WYC with the agreement of the Chair and the Council Liaison Officer.
Additional information on how we see WYC operating is set out in the Terms of Reference.
Meeting to discuss and agree the work programme
Once you have discussed the priorities and suggested work-streams outlined in this letter with the other members of your group, we would like to finalise and begin working on the programme with you.  Please contact me with your response to this letter by Wednesday 22 October 2014.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely

Martin Rodgers
Manager, Research, Consultation & Planning