Douglas City Council is preparing to launch a new Youth Council aimed at giving young people a stronger voice in local decision‑making.
The proposal, due for final approval at next week’s Council meeting, would see the Douglas Youth Council (DYC) introduced as a one‑year pilot to encourage greater engagement with local democracy and ensure the views of younger residents are represented.
The advisory group would allow members to meet Councillors and officers, contribute to policy discussions, raise issues affecting young people and submit written questions to Council meetings.
Recommendations could also be made to relevant committees.
Youth Council
The initiative follows a motion brought by former Councillor John Skinner in April last year calling for a junior council to give young people a formal route to influence local authority proposals.
The DYC will consist of 12 volunteers aged 15–18, with four representatives each from Ballakermeen High School, St Ninian’s High School and University College Isle of Man. All members must live in Douglas and will serve a one‑year term.
Nominations are expected to open in September, with elections held in October if required. The first meeting is scheduled for November, with sessions taking place bi‑monthly in the Council Chamber.
Members will be encouraged to engage with fellow students to ensure a broad range of views are represented. The Council says it is committed to inclusivity and is encouraging applications from under‑represented
