Skip to content

Herefordshire Association of Local Councils

• Home
  • Ten Good Reasons to Join HALC
  • HALC's Constitution
  • Executive Committee
  • Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
• Parish Councils FAQ
  • What is a Parish/Town Council?
  • How is it funded?
  • Roles and Responsibilities
  • Powers and Duties
  • Can I become a Parish/Town Councillor?
  • What does being a Councillor involve?
  • What Does a Clerk Do?
  • YOUTH.... "Whatever, yeah?"
  • Parish/Town Council Meetings
  • Creation of New Parish Councils
  • A "Good Council Guide"
  • Maps
• Members
  • Forum
  • Members Directory
  • Area Meetings
  • Forms
  • Affordable Housing
  • The Standards Board
  • Community Protection Team
  • Planning
  • Code of Conduct
  • Employment
  • Finance
  • Policies
  • Consultations
  • Legal Topic Notes
  • Policy and Parliamentary Affairs
  • NALC Briefings
• Developing Your Council
  • Rural White Paper (Nov. 2000)
  • Training
  • Quality Parish Status
  • Power of Wellbeing
  • New Standing Orders
  • Local Leadership 2020
  • Parish Plans
  • Recruiting a New Clerk
  • Lengthsman Scheme
  • Allotments
  • Public Rights of Way
  • Websites
  • Communication
  • Charter
• Grants
  • Grants Available
• News
  • Community Right to Build?
  • NEW Employment Guide
  • The Queen's Speech 2010
  • New Government Programme
  • New Standing Orders
  • Clerks' Training Bursary
  • Information Corner
  • HALC Diary
  • HALC Chairman's Annual Report
  • NALC's Chief Executive Report
• Vacancies

YOUTH

Throughout England, parish and town councils (local councils) work towards improving community well-being and providing better services within your locality. They are the tier of local government closest to YOU and can effect change within the area YOU live.

Parish councillors normally live within their community and will therefore be more likely to understand the needs of its residents, which includes YOU! Engaging young people is a key consideration for many local councils and they can be at the forefront in ensuring that the needs of young people are more fully represented.

You can gain more of an understanding of how a parish council works by reading further items in our FAQ section.

Some examples of the services and facilities that parish councils have helped to provide for young people are:

• Skate Parks
• Youth Clubs
• Youth Shelters
• Mobile cinema
• Play areas
• Sports facilities
• Internet cafe
• Increased public transport to nearby town

If you would like your parish or town council to become more aware of young people’s needs within your area, then you can either:

• Attend a parish council meeting
• Write a letter to the parish council – this should normally be sent to the Parish Council Clerk
• Email the Parish Council Clerk with your ideas / concerns / requests and ask that they be considered at a council meeting
• Ask for there to be a YOUTH item on the next meeting's Agenda

If you would like to know which parish council is responsible for the area in which YOU live, please go to our Maps section, listed under Parish Councils FAQ. On our “Interactive Map” you will be able to click on the village or place that you live and details of the parish council responsible for your area will pop up.

The Clerk’s details are usually displayed on the map and he / she can tell you when and where parish council meetings are held. The Clerk will also be glad to receive any enquiries or concerns you may wish to highlight to councillors.

Alternatively you can call HALC on our Information Line - 01432 355701, for a friendly, informal chat or email us at averil@halchereford.gov.uk. We can provide you with contact details and answer any questions you may have, on how parish councils work and how you can get involved. Give us a call today!

Once in touch with your Parish Council you may like to think about setting up a Youth Town or Parish Council. There are quite a number of youth parish councils around the country and there could be more in Herefordshire! It's up to you! If you and some like-minded friends would like to....

• Exercise your right to participate in decisions that affect you.
• Have a voice on local issues that you feel strongly about.
• Develop your abilities to participate in local decision making.
• Work together to take collective action and to make changes you think are needed.
• Represent the views of local young people.

.... then contact your parish council and express your desire to start a youth parish council!

There is information and guidance available from HALC and NALC that will assist your Parish Council in creating a Youth Council and is available by clicking here.