Young people: have your say on what matters to you

The debate could be at Grimsby Town Hall!

YOUNG people are North East Lincolnshire’s adults of tomorrow – and that is why today’s council leader wants to hear the views and opinions of our borough’s teenagers.

Over the next few weeks, Cllr Oliver Freeston will be reaching out to youth groups, schools and colleges, parents/carers and organisations that support teenagers to gauge interest in North East Lincolnshire Council hosting a ‘Young People’s Debate’.  

Determined that the event will be non-political, and focus on issues that interest and affect young people, Cllr Freeston will be inviting fellow group leaders and councillors to join him.

It is intended that a range of subjects could be debated – and could include future careers options in North East Lincolnshire and the environment, including clean streets, crime and more things for people to do.   All of these subjects featured in the results of last year’s Your Voice: Your Vote – a survey for local young people organised by the council. The 2026 Your Voice: Your Vote is currently live at https://tell-us.questionpro.eu/a/TakeSurvey?tt=aqtzZ2fIChPV8jhiqlPueQ%3D%3D

Cllr Freeston said: “Following a successful public event involving adults, I really wanted to look more at how we can involve young people. One of the issues debated at the adults’ event was how we can encourage young people to stay here in North East Lincolnshire after they finish college and to get that right we need to be asking them.

“I am pleased to hear about the Your Voice: Your Vote survey and would also like the opportunity to have discussions on what has been raised by some of the young people who have taken part in the survey.”

An initial shout-out by Cllr Freeston to see who was interested in a Young Person’s debate sparked a good response, with fellow elected members, schools and organisations indicating they wanted to get involved.

“I was really pleased with the feedback – there were parents who responded saying their children would be interested and a good few schools too, so let’s see if we can make it happen.”

Over the next week, expression of interest forms will be sent out to organisations that the council has on its lists and go to headteachers via the authority’s regular newsletter. That form is also here https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/BMBzLJ74C9 if you do run or help to organise/work with a young person’s group, organisations or education provider.