The needs of young people in the Braintree district are to be targeted thanks to more than a year's work by a youth scrutiny panel.

At a meeting of the district councils' strategy committee last week, members approved a report by corporate director Rob Atkins, which will now go to the community committee in January for detailed consideration and action.

The youth panel was set up last in July 1999 and, for the first six months, members listened to the views of youngsters.

Now the plans are being put into practice and include creating a new position at the council to champion young people's issues within the district and ensuring that there is more co-ordination between council services and schools, to enable more effective liaison.

Mr Atkins said: "This new position will hopefully be filled early next year. We have a good working relationship with Essex County Council and have developed a lot of close contacts with youth services over the last year. Hopefully, this will help us provide what youngsters want in this district."

Members also recommend that parents be encouraged to become volunteer drivers, support a young person's bus pass -- which would mean youngsters travelling more cheaply across the district -- and that bus and train operators provide services which meet young people's needs.

"We want to make halls and facilities more accessible to youngsters," said Mr Atkins.

"Basically, we want to make Braintree a better place for young people by gaining a greater understanding of the needs and aspirations of young people living in the Braintree district and to identify gaps in provision."

By Clare Berrett

Reporter's e-mail: clare.berrett@essex-chronicle.co.uk

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