‘‘Heading down the right track but still room for improvement'' reads the report card from Gore District councillor Doug Dixey about the Gore's District Youth Council's first three months of operation.
Cr Dixey was appointed by Gore District Council (GDC) to assist the new youth council and to liaise between the two organisations.
The youth council met for the third time last night in the council chambers.
Cr Dixey said what had surprised him was the relative inexperience of the young councillors at running meetings.
‘‘It's going to take a while for everyone to settle into their roles, but they are keen to be involved and to contribute.
‘‘It is important to get everyone's opinion, but it is equally important not to get stuck on big, individual issues that might be too complex to deal with at this stage.''
Cr Dixey said he had taken three of the youth councillors to a meeting in Balclutha where they had had the opportunity to be addressed by people more experienced in youth council operations than they were.
‘‘They wanted to learn and I'm sure they came away from that experience with a better knowledge and some ideas for the Gore youth council.''
He said, in his opinion, the most important thing the youth councillors could do during the next few months was to become more informed about the issues they would be discussing, before they came to the meetings.
‘‘They really need to focus on one or two ideas and progress them through to fruition,'' Cr Dixey said.
He said he was confident the members of the youth council would work well together as they became more experienced and able to contribute more.
‘‘They've got to think outside the square and come up with innovative and tangible ideas for young people in Gore,'' Cr Dixey said.
Gore District Youth Council chairman Dan Luoni (17) said there was a lack of structure to the meetings and he wanted to work on that.
‘‘I've been assisted in that by Doug [Cr Dixey], as well as Steve Parry [GDC chief executive] and Jo Waddell [GDC, corporate support officer], but I'm the first to admit I have a lot to learn in the role.''
He said the youth council had a good representation of the young people in the district.
‘‘Sure we would like more involvement from some areas, but it's not something we can control.
‘‘You've got to want to be involved.''
He hoped that if the council maintained a good profile and earned some credibility, others would put their names forward as potential youth councillors.
‘‘I think it's important . . . people understand that the young people on the youth council are very much in touch with the youth of this area.
‘‘They know what's happening around the district,'' he said.
Dan said the first meetings of the council had been a real learning experience for himself and the other councillors.
‘‘The debate to date around the table has not been extensive and it really is up to me, as chairman, to ensure that everyone participates and adds to the discussion.
‘‘Everyone has valid opinions and I know it will come in time,'' he said.
