DOZENS of young people have taken part in Your Agenda meetings, set up so young people could speak to the council about the issues that matter to them.

The agenda of the meetings was set by the young people, not the council, with nothing off limits for debate.

The young people told the council they never got the chance to speak to employers or got the opportunity to get experience in the workplace.

So the council approached businesses and organised a speed networking event.

More than 100 youngsters were able to showcase their skills to businesses and get a foot on the career ladder.

The event saw representatives from nearly 30 businesses tell young people what they were looking for and give them hints and tips about applying for jobs, as well as offer work experience.

The comments received from both young people and employers were very positive and a number of young people have secured jobs or traineeships on the back of the event.

Another issue raised was the lack of a skate park in the borough. The council pledged look to at it and has recently announced plans for the area’s first indoor skate park.

The youngsters also asked the council for a music event in the town centre. The council worked with them and gave them the use of Blakey’s for a well-attended event.