By Isle of Wight Observer
The Isle of Wight Youth Council hosted Councillor Ian Dore, chairman of the Isle of Wight Council, for a lively question‑and‑answer session in the council chamber at County Hall.
Cllr Dore described the meeting as “a fantastic opportunity” to hear directly from young people about the issues that matter to them. Topics covered youth opportunities, sport engagement, politics, work experience, and tackling deprivation.
“It was great to see such enthusiasm and thoughtful discussion,” he said. “The Youth Council plays an important role in shaping ideas and giving a voice to the next generation. They grilled me heartily, and Fin, the chair, even had his own gavel.”
He said many of the young representatives felt there was “a lack of inspiration for youth on the Island”, despite their own desire to inspire others. “They felt the voice of youth wasn’t heard and, if it was, it was ignored. That was sad to hear and the balance needs redressing. I intend to help with that as much as I can.”
The meeting, chaired by Fin, focused on improving communication between the council and young residents, as well as exploring ideas for future engagement.
Cllr Dore said those present were Jamie, Toby, Calvin, Sebastian, Olivia, Evie, Amara, Kyra, Fin and Naomi. “Incredibly engaging, debated in a warm and friendly manner, and focused on a real collective approach to everything,” he said.
“I came away with plenty to think about and some brilliant suggestions. I’m looking forward to working with the Youth Council to make sure their views are heard.”
Mal Butler