Young people at Forest Hall School today told Stansted councillors what they like about the area and what they want to see improved. Anyone who thought that young people are only interested in “young people’s issues” would have been pleasantly surprised at the range of topics which came up.  This was a group of young people with very sound opinions and mature in the way they put them over. It was a pleasure to meet with them for about an hour-and-a-half this morning.

Students and councillors meet at Forest Hall School to discuss community issues.

We were told that young people enjoy living on Forest Hall Park and feel that it is a safe place to live. Students were concerned about poor parking on Cambridge Road near the shops and about inconsiderate parking by parents near Bentfield School. There was a call for more litter bins – and the students were asked to bring pressure on some older teenagers who picnic on the recreation ground, but walk away leaving their bottles and other litter. They want a pedestrian crossing in Lower Street. There were mixed feelings about whether a new pavement is needed along Church Road to improve the safety of access to their school. (From my walk back, more vigilant control over the adjacent hedge might be a cheaper option.)

Many of the students were angry that Essex County Council intends to chop the free school bus service from Elsenham and Henham on the grounds that it would be safe to walk nearly three miles along the roadside to get to school. Apparently ECC carried out a consultation – but no one knew it had happened!!

We talked about the youth centre in Stansted and how all opening evenings could be made as good and welcoming to all young people. I will address this at next Tuesday’s meeting of Stansted Youth 2000. There was interest in getting involved in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme which is just starting up at the club, so this morning’s meeting may introduce some new participants.

There was a view amongst the girls that too many youth activities are aimed at boys and not at girls; so we got into gender equality.

I read a complaint letter from a 14-year old in a local paper last week that local youth “were pushed aside yet again as their voices did not count” in the debate over Uttlesford’s Local Plan. I came away from this morning’s meeting very impressed by the young people of Forest Hall School. I hope they gained the impression that councillors in Stansted will listen to them and will do all they can to meet their expectations.