In November 2006 Brent Council decided to set up a Youth Parliament so that children and young people living in Brent could have a say in decision making around issues that affect them. Local primary schools, secondary schools, College of North West London, youth clubs and community organizations were asked to submit names of children and young people who were interested in becoming members of Brent Youth Parliament.

By February 2007, 53 children and young people (aged between 10 and 19) from across Brent had been elected as Members of Brent’s first Youth Parliament. The first meeting of the Youth Parliament was held on 9 March 2007 at the House of Commons.

This report gives details about the discussions, activities and decisions that were made by Brent Youth Parliament Members at their first meeting. The report also states the three priority issues that Brent Youth Parliament Members have collectively agreed to focus on for the coming year.

After discussion and debate Members voted for the three issues that they want to discuss and work on in the coming year. These are:  

• Crime and Safety
• Health and well being
• Sports and Leisure

Members were informed that Brent Youth Parliament is a forum for children and young people

• to have a say in decision making around issues that affect them,
• to have a say in how services are delivered to them,
• to agree their annual programme of activity and debate and
• to get to meet other young people from across the borough.

Members were informed that they have a very important role in making sure that they represent the views of as many of Brent’s children and young people as they can. Members’ responsibilities will include:

• attending 3 full meetings of the Youth Parliament
• attending 4 smaller meetings of the task groups that they choose to be part of
• Members will be responsible for feeding back to their schools / youth clubs any issues that are discussed at the Youth Parliament meetings and
• bring issues from their school/youth club to the attention of Youth Parliament
• two Members from Brent Youth Parliament will attend the UK Youth Parliament meetings to represent the views of Brent Youth Parliament

one Member will be elected as Co Chair. They will ensure that meetings are focused and conducted on time and with respect. The Co Chair and Cllr Hayley Matthews will also sit on the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership Board where high level decisions are made

Members were asked to get into small groups and talk about issues that affect children and young people in Brent. Listed below are some of the issues that came up in their discussions.

• Crime
• Safety
• Health 
• Sports
• Bullying
• Peer pressure
• Gang culture
• Environment
• Education and careers
• Citizenship and national identity
• Managing money
• Homelessness
• Homophobia
• Obesity / anorexia
• Prejudice
• Young people in hospitals
• Orphans

• To talk about issues that affect children and young people and debate on ways to solve them.
• To present your views to Council Members and look into the responses you get from them.
• To evaluate different services available to children and young people in Brent and suggest ways to improve them.
• To plan at least 2 big events every year to raise awareness on issues that affect children and young people where you live.
• To make sure issues discussed in your meetings are shared with children and young people across Brent, in a variety of different ways. For example, through newsletters, websites or visits.
• Participate in a training programme for Members of the Youth Parliament.
• To make sure all children and young people and all Members of the Council are working by the ‘Hear by Rights’ standard.
• To look at ways to distribute the Opportunities Fund in a fair and equal manner.
• To meet at least 3 times a year and sub-groups to meet regularly to talk about local issues.