Lib Dems - Listening to Young People Not Just About Words, But Action

Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats have stressed the importance of both listening to and acting on the views of children and young people, across all that the Council does.

The comments come following a meeting of the Children's Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee this week at which the voice of young people was a clear theme. The Youth Cabinet gave a presentation on their activities and on their current priorities, which are transport, knife crime, tackling bullying and the Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) curriculum.

Councillors also heard about what Bedford Borough Council is doing to ensure young people are able to give their views and to shape social care services. The Committee received figures showing increasing levels of engagement from children and young people overall in respect of social care services.

Committee Chair and Liberal Democrat Spokesperson Cllr Hilde Hendrickx welcomed this growth, and says it must be replicated across the Council's functions and acted upon.

Commenting, Cllr Hendrickx said: "It was extremely valuable for us to hear directly from the Youth Cabinet about their work and their priorities, and my thanks again to them.

"It's vital young people are heard in respect of all that the Council does, and also that children are able to see the difference it makes when they do speak up. That's good for them and good for the Council as a service provider.'