THE recently established Tamworth Regional Youth Council could play a key role as local agencies look to address youth crime in the region.
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The Tamworth Regional Council crime prevention working group will meet for the first time since this year’s council election next Thursday.
Councillor Russell Webb will look to retain his role as chair of the committee and he told The Leader his priorities going forward were working closer with local youth and addressing drug issues in the community.
With nominations now open for the youth council, Cr Webb said the crime prevention group could potentially form a very important link.
“The crime prevention working group will hopefully be able to engage with the youth council and build on better outcomes for the city and the region,” Cr Webb said.
While the youth council is yet to form and crime prevention committee haven’t met since the September elections, Cr Webb confirmed forming links between the groups could become an agenda item in the near future.
The Tamworth councillor emphasised how the youth council would be a crucial tool for engagement with local youngsters.
“Engagement is important and it is a thing we have struggled with,” he said.
“If you look at the demographics of the current council, we’re all a bit older – even the younger ones are a bit older.
“We need to get a feel for younger people are thinking about.”
He said local youth representatives would have input on a larger scale too.
“The [Tamworth Regional] Council can act as advocates for the community to lobby at state and federal levels,” he said.“But to meet the needs of the community, we need to know what the needs are.”