New Dumfries and Galloway Council chief executive says aspirations and views of young people will be heard loud and clear

The aspirations and views of young people in Dumfries and Galloway will be heard loud and clear in the next few years, a council chief has promised.

Dawn Roberts, chief executive of Dumfries and Galloway Council, has been hugely impressed by the work done by the region’s youth council since it was formed in 2019.

The youth organisation, which has 35 elected members and two youth councillors in each regional ward, is a strong voice for young people in the area and has built a strong partnership with the local authority.

The youth council has an interest in a broad range of issues that affect young people including: mental health and wellbeing, transport, sport and leisure opportunities, improving parks and outdoor spaces, and climate change and the environment.

A youth participation and engagement strategy for 2022-27 has now been drawn up to develop the work of the youth council. The plan will be tabled at a joint meeting of the full council and youth council at The Bridge in Dumfries on Thursday, November 3.

Ms Roberts wrote in the document: “In Dumfries and Galloway Council, we are committed to ensuring that young people feel confident to express their voices and feel a sense of belonging in their communities.

“This strategy demonstrates the progress made by our council in ensuring young people’s voices are heard and renews our dedication and commitment to listen to young people, and act on their views.

“We have taken steps to ensure that the views and aspirations of young people’s are reflected in how we develop priorities and plans at a service and strategic level and I look forward to being a part of the next chapter of youth democracy in Dumfries and Galloway.

“This implementation of our vision will make a significant contribution to helping us make Dumfries and Galloway the natural place for all our young people to live, work and grow.”

Elli Wadsworth, chairperson of Dumfries and Galloway Youth Council, stated: “The youth council was initially established in 2019, and within a year everyone was trying to find their feet in a new world of the pandemic.

“Despite the disruption, there has been a lot of progress to ensure that young people have a seat at the table when it comes to decision making.

“Youth participation and engagement is about more than the youth council, and there is a role for all services to take on to ensure that young people are included, listened to and their voices acted upon.”