Children's services
Voices of young people heard in Council Chamber at lively debate
Published on
Walsall’s future leaders have taken to the Council Chamber to debate key societal issues.
Young people aged between 12 and 16 attended a youth debate hosted by the council on Thursday 6 November, and debated topics such as the learning environment at school and anti-social behaviour in the borough.
Chaired by Deputy Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Chris Bott, the debate gave pupils from St Thomas More Catholic School, West Walsall E-ACT Academy and Blue Coat Academy an opportunity to have their say and help influence the way the council and its partners deliver services.
The group was split into two sides of the Chamber and were supported by youth workers and officers from West Midlands Police who were there to listen and help them prepare their arguments.
Oritse attended the debate and said, “I found the experience at Walsall Council Chamber to be an absolute honour and a pleasure to be there. It was great to have my thoughts on these topics listened to and accounted for.”
Deputy Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Chris Bott said, “It was a pleasure to welcome young people into the Council Chamber and give them a flavour of how democracy works in action. Their contributions about each debate were brilliant and we most definitely had future leaders of Walsall in the room!”
“ What a brilliant evening we had listening to a fantastic group of people in the Chamber.
We’ve made our commitment to young people that their voices will be heard, listened to, and drive positive change, and we’re doing exactly that through events like these and our youth summits.
The debate ran like a real Council meeting, and speakers spoke with honesty, integrity, and with a real sense of wisdom. Their contributions were remarkable, and it really was inspiring to listen to
“
The debate plays an active part in the council’s 2040 vision to ensure children and young people are happy, thriving, and excited for their future.
Insights from the debate will now be taken forward by the council.
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Get involved
The Children and Young People’s Alliance in Walsall know that children and young people want to use their voices and be listened to by the council and its partners.
The Alliance has made a commitment to involving young people in local decision making. If you would like to get involved with decision making in Walsall, please email us at: childrensalliance@walsall.gov.uk
About the Children and Young People’s Alliance
Walsall’s Children and Young Peoples Strategic Alliance is a partnership group that is responsible for the delivery of Walsall's Children and Young Persons Strategy. The Alliance was launched in March 2023 and involves Walsall Council, West Midlands Police, Walsall NHS Healthcare Trust, Black Country Integrated Care Board, Black Country Healthcare NHS Trust, Walsall Together, Walsall Housing Group, Walsall College, University of Wolverhampton, and community organisations. Recognising that today’s children will be adults in 2040, its objective is to develop new ways of thinking and new ways of working informed by the voice of children, young people and their families.
In October 2024, the alliance’s We Are Walsall 2040 Children and Young People’s strategy was approved by Walsall Council’s Cabinet. More information about the strategy is available here:
