Agenda and draft minutes

Kayla welcomed everyone to the meeting as the forum youth chair

Apologies received from Ruva (NSB) and Nicole (CS)

Present for the meeting: Lissy (NA), Honey (NSB), Jessica (KC), Michaella (WPS), Tracy (NSG), Kamron (BC), Hannah (KC), Kayla (WPS)

Officers/Guests: Aimee Luck (WNC), Morcea Walker (adult co-chair), Jamie Wells (WNC), Jamie Chalmers (WNC regeneration), Eleri Neal (Northants Police), Pete Basham (Northants Police)

Aimee introduced Jamie who will supporting with Youth Forum next year.

Jenny set up filming in the Godwin room and Honey filmed a statement for the Holocaust Memorial Day event in January.

Morcea explained that due to council budget constraints the event will now be on a smaller budget, taking place in the day. There will now be a mix of in person and recorded performances and we will likely use the pre-recorded youth forum statements of commitment at the event.

Action: Aimee to arrange some challah bread for the January meeting.

Police asked to attend the forum meeting to discuss Stop and Search after sitting in on the forum’s Hate Crime workshop at the Youth Summit.

·       In Northamptonshire you are 3 x more likely to be stop searched if you are black. This is lower than national average but still disproportionate.

·       75% of stop searches result in no further action

·       A section 60 can be used to give officer the right to stop and search anyone without giving a reason in extreme circumstances. For instance, in the event of a knife attack where the weapon/person has not been recovered. This gives police more powers to find that person quickly and protect the public.

·       A Community Scrutiny Panel exists to review body worn footage and give police feedback on stop search interactions.

A safe and legal stop search should follow this process. The Officer;

·       must explain why they have stopped you

·       must be polite and respectful

·       should offer you a record of the search

PB explained that whilst stop searches in Northamptonshire are compliant with the above, the biggest challenge is around the style and tone of the interactions and Northants Police are keen to do this better and need public feedback.

Questions and comments:

·       Education around stop search should be improved. Many young people are scared to be stopped by Police and don’t know the purpose and value of this.
PB – Often difficult to get into schools but will look at how this can be included better in knife crime inputs in secondary schools.

·       “Not been stopped/searched myself but would feel like a personal attack on my character, like why am I suspicious to you?”

·       Do you think the media influences people’s perceptions of Police and fuels fear about what might happen if you are stopped? Particularly in relation to Police brutality in America?
PB – Absolutely has an impact, and not just America – there have been incidents with Police in the UK. Majority of police officers are there for the right reason, to do a good job and protect people but there are always bad apples in any area.

·       Language, tone and style discussed. PB gave an example picked up recently of some younger police officers using the word ‘mate’ which can be interpreted as rude and disrespectful by some people and leads to a bad interaction.

·       Are the Police trying to be colour blind in their approach?
PB – No, but important to understand biases and possible prejudice and train officers in this – example given that Somali men will not make eye contact out of fear/respect when stopped but this can be misinterpreted as being ‘shifty’ or having something to hide.

·       What are you doing to diversify the Police workforce? With a greater diversity of police it will be easier to communicate with different communities.
PB/EN – The Positive action team is made up of 3 staff whose job it is to promote recruitment opportunities to communities not widely represented in the police.

·       Suggested there  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Jamie gave an update on the market square regeneration project starting in January 2024. Due to the timescales there have been some changes to the plans to design the hoarding and the work will now be done by University art students as part of their course around the themes Northampton; past, present, future.

Young people at the meeting gave their feedback on the concepts shown and were asked to collate their ideas to be shared with the student designers.

Comments and ideas noted during the meeting:

·       Use simple fonts to ensure accessible to wider audience and inclusive of neurodiverse people.

·       Incorporate the Guildhall – a building representing the community regardless of age.

·       Influential Northamptonians – message that “you can achieve/be anything you want”

·       Diversity! Incorporate different ethnicities in historical references. One example being Walter Tull.

·       Demonstrate a range of art forms – including poetry

·       Showcase the youth music scene – big in Northampton!

·       Include interesting facts about the local area. For example, Kayla shared that in 2015 a number of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ scenes were filmed here.

·       Please include a way finding map highlighting the attractions and things to do in Northampton. Must include ‘you are here’.

Questions asked re plans for the stall holders during the regen works?
Planning decision deferred to 10 Jan but work being done to move stalls to Commercial Street (near TK Maxx) throughout works. A scheme also in progress to push the footfall this way.

Forum would like an update on plans and the progress of the works in the New Year. Action: Aimee to invite Jamie back for February meeting.

Action: ALL to feed in any further ideas for the hoarding designs - deadline Thursday 22 December

Excellent feedback received by partners re the Hate Crime workshop for Youth Summit – huge well done to all involved.

We have only had 5 responses to the feedback form for UKPW event but mostly positive.

Comments for improvement are mostly around longer activity time/more time to talk to councillors.

Comments for future engagement with schools and young people mostly suggesting surveys with young people. This will be explored for the launch of the Youth Council.

Aimee shared the new West Northants Youth Council logo design ideas for comment.
Action: AL to collate and feedback to the graphic designer in the comms team.

Cabinet member updates for all future meetings and opportunity to feedback on current decisions.

Aimee gave an update on the request for a residential/day trip. In conversation with Fire Service to put on a have a go day on 31 May during the half term for team building/fun day.

Suggested this may be difficult for some as exams will be starting in June. Main purpose will be to welcome new starters and help them get to know each other/work together as they will be carrying on youth forum when others move on.

Action: Further discussion to take place. Please send Aimee any thoughts/ideas on this.  

6 out of the 8 members in attendance this meeting will be leaving the forum in Summer 2023 to go on to higher education/work.

Wednesday 11 January, 4,30pm

This will be a hybrid meeting so that anyone unable to attend in person will be able to dial in using a link.