Young people packed into Sevenoaks District Council's public gallery to hear Cllr Peter Fleming introduce the Young People's Action Plan to the Council at its meeting on Tuesday 30 October.

The Action Plan, the culmination of a major consultation process which included the young people present, was approved and will be officially launched on 12 December at Eden Valley School.

The Chairman of the Council, Cllr Peter Deans, broke with usual Council protocol and invited Emma Stillman, aged 15 to address the meeting. She thanked Cllr Fleming and members for their support with the Action Plan.

Emma, who is a member of Sevenoaks Youth Forum and lives at West Kingsdown, was involved in the consultation process and has followed the progress of the document with interest.

Emma Stillman says: "On behalf of the young people who live in the Sevenoaks District, we think it is a really good that the Council has listened to our views. We want to work together to make the District better for young people and now that our comments are down on paper, we are looking forward to seeing the actions take place. We would like to thank the Council for its commitment to us."

The Young People's Action Plan reflected five main themes which were identified during the consultation process that started a year ago. The themes are opportunities to participate, things to do and places to go, crime and anti-social behaviour, health and well being and transport.

The Action Plan pulls together the expertise and resources of a variety of partners who have an interest in working with young people to improve provision for them across the District.

A exciting and unusual leaflet for young people has also been developed to allow young people to access further information sources. It reflects, in summary, the main themes and actions which are in the Young People's Action Plan. It will be available for circulation at the launch of the Action Plan on 12 December.

Cllr Peter Fleming, the Council Portfolio holder that covers young peoples issues, says: "This Action Plan highlights the Council's commitment to young people and to working in partnership with many colleagues to address the challenges and aims that the consultation process highlighted."

Cllr Fleming adds: "We are delighted that the young people have been able to attend this meeting, during Youth Work 2001, Celebrating Youth Action in the Community and I look forward to their ongoing commitment to seeing this Action Plan evolve."