Young people in Huntingdonshire were given the opportunity to have their say and present at an overview and scrutiny event in the council chamber, at the district council on 1 July 2008.

The presentation was the final piece of work these young people have done as part of the council’s consultation for a plan called the Sustainable Community Strategy for Huntingdonshire.

The views and thoughts gathered from listening to the young people, and involving young people from around Huntingdonshire over the last few months, including HuntSNet and a group of primary school children called 23 United reps, have been placed into the plan. The plan includes information on how the council will do its bit to help the future generation of Huntingdonshire, and will be used by organisations in the area to help decide what services we provide over the next few years. 

As a direct result of work with young people the following priorities have been included in the plan:
o safe, accessible, positive activities for children and young people
o safe, clean environment for children and young people
o positive images of children and young people
o ensure children and young people are involved in the design of services.

The 23United reps gave their views about what they liked and didn’t like about living in their town or village. The young people were asked to explore these issues in more detail, and then invited to the council offices for an opportunity to report their findings to officers and members including the Chairman of the Council Councillor John Davies.

A number of areas were raised that were of particular concern to the 23United reps, they included; more police patrols needed in park areas to keep an eye on older children dominating the green space, more bins required in parks, targeted litter pick in problem areas and graffiti walls or competitions in particular problem areas. The areas may provide the focus for potential projects in the future.

Councillor Andrew Handard, Excecutive Councillor for Policy and Research, said; "It is important to ensure that our young people are able to have their say and feel they are being listened to and is vital that the development of the strategy includes their input. We may not be able to change everything, but it is essential we play our part, and do our bit, in helping to shape the future of our young people in the work we do."