Herefordshire Youth Council aims to give young people aged 11 – 18 years a representative voice in Herefordshire.

• To be visible and raise awareness of young peoples issues.
• To influence and change things for the better.
• To advise on policies and decisions relating to young people and their lives.
• To work independently and deal with matters deemed to be important to young people.

• To work alongside decision makers to help improve Herefordshire.

1. Youth Council members will not knowingly act in a prejudice or offensive way.
2. All external Youth Council communications should represent the view of the Youth Council and not an individual (unless stated).
3. Youth Council members will aim to represent the interests of all young people in Herefordshire.
4. Any breach of this code of conduct will result in disciplinary action being taken.

• All members will abide by the code of conduct.
• All members will conduct themselves appropriately and courteously and with respect to others' opinions and views.

• Herefordshire Youth Council members will be aged 11–18 years
• Members are elected to represent the views of all other people in their school/ community and Herefordshire. There is 1:500 (representative: total no. of pupils)
• Each of the school community may elect the number of representatives that have been allocated to them.
• Each member is elected for a 2-year period and can stand again if they so wish.
• If a member leaves the council (with-in the first six months) then the person with the next highest amount of votes (or interested young people who didn’t make it to the full election) for that school will be contacted and asked if they would like to work with the Youth Council. If this person accepts, they will carry out that members remaining term of office.

• The Youth Council will be led by an elected committee of:
  Chair
  Vice Chair
  Secretary
  Assistant/Vice Secretary
  Treasurer
  Assistant/ Vice-Treasurer
  Publicity Officer
  
• Democratic elections will take place at the beginning of the Youth Councils term, via speeches and ballot boxes. The terms of office for positions are 12 months with the opportunity for review and elections at 6 months.

• Meetings will be held once a month, (12 in a year) at a central location.
• Additional working meetings being held in-between times depending on activities of the Youth Council. Sub Committees will be set up as necessary.
• All meetings will be chaired by the Chair or Vice-Chair.
• Members should try and attend all General Meetings.
• Travel to these meetings /events will be reimbursed by the Youth Council Funds and help will be offered where possible to organise it.

• Youth Council should try to resolve decisions by discussion.
• If this does not work, then a vote may be cast in which the overall majority will win.
• If the votes are split the Chair has casting vote.

• A review should be produced detailing the council’s progress and achievements yearly.
• An open evening will be held at least once a year, which will be open to all to raise any concerns/queries to the Youth Council.

• Any proposals for change will be considered and will need a 2/3rds majority.

• If the Committee decides at any time by a simple majority that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Association, the officers shall call a Special General Meeting, giving at least 14 days’ notice in writing to all members and stating the terms of the dissolution resolution to be proposed at the meeting.
• If a resolution to dissolve the Association shall be agreed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting, the meeting shall elect three people who shall have the responsibility of accounting for and disposing of any assets held by or in the name of the Association.
• Any assets remaining after debts and liabilities have been settled shall be given to or transferred to any charitable institution or institution having objects similar to the objects of the Association as the Association in General Meeting may determine at or before the time of dissolution.