Scarborough Council launches competitions for young people to help 'build a better borough'

The first competition, aimed at children and teenagers aged 14 years and under, is to use a sign template to communicate what they think an ideal borough to live in should look like.

Young people can complete the template in any way they like, for example, with a picture, words, poem etc but ideally content should relate to one or more of the council’s key themes for Building a Better Borough, which are: communities, environment, health, safety, investment, quality homes, busy town centres, vibrant art galleries, museums and theatres and transport.

Judging will be in two categories (aged 10 and under and aged 11 to 14) with prizes awarded accordingly.

The second competition, aimed at teenagers and young adults aged 15 to 21, is to pick one or more of the Building a Better Borough themes that they feel needs improvement or attention and explain how they think changes could be achieved. Entries can be made in any format e.g. video, artwork/collage, essay, song, poem etc.

There will be a two-stage judging process in two age categories (aged 15 to 17 and aged 18 to 21). The shortlisted entrants will then be invited to the Town Hall to pitch their idea to the council’s management team and councillors, where an overall winner will be chosen.

Cllr Steve Siddons, Leader of Scarborough Borough Council said: “Our borough’s young people are key to our future communities. They will be the next generation of service users and place shapers so it is essential that when planning for Building a Better Borough we listen to what they have to say and incorporate their ideas as far as possible, into our plans.”

Entries for both competitions can be submitted individually or as part of school projects, youth group activities or friendship groups. Entries received will be used to help steer the work of the council, its partners and local communities in Building a Better Borough.

Running alongside the competitions is a youth version of the Your Borough, Your Say survey, which young people of all ages can complete.

The survey and details of the competitions can be found on the Youth Consultation page at scarborough.gov.uk/buildingabetterborough