Sandwell Council is inviting Expressions of Interest for a young person to join the Wednesbury Levelling Up Partnership Board.

The Wednesbury Levelling up Partnership Board (WLUP Board) is overseeing the delivery of £20.4 million investment in Wednesbury and brings together a range of partners including elected Members, MPs, faith sector, public sector organisations, representatives of the business and voluntary community and young people. It is Chaired by an Independent Person.

The Board has a vacancy for a young person to represent young people in Wednesbury.

What you can gain from being a Board Member 

  • Chance to influence projects in Wednesbury 
  • Chance to advise and support with getting more young people involved in levelling up Wednesbury 
  • Chance to offer your opinion on how projects will/ are impacting young people 
  • Experience of being a Board Member  
  • Insight into governance and decision-making 
  • Understanding of how projects are delivered 
  • Understanding of issues, challenges and opportunities to regenerate Wednesbury  
  • Connections with a range of partners 
  • Great experience for your CV

 What you will offer 

  • Enthusiasm and willingness to learn 
  • Opinions about young people’s issues in Wednesbury 
  • Opinions about Wednesbury’s future 
  • An understanding and awareness of the issues, challenges and strengths of Wednesbury based on your work, attendance at school or life in Wednesbury 
  • A willingness to work with others on the Board and put your views forward 
  • A commitment to equalities, diversity, and inclusion 
  • A passion for making a difference in Wednesbury 

How to apply

Applicants should submit an Expression of Interest to Wednesbury_LUP@sandwell.gov.uk by Friday 27th September 2024This can be in any format of your choice e.g., video/ written submission. 

If you are preparing a written submission, please provide no more than 1 side of A4. If you are providing a video, please provide this as an mp4 and no longer than 5 minutes. 

 Your expression of interest should include: 

  • Your name 
  • Your school, college, or youth group  
  • What interests you about joining the board 
  • What skills you would bring to the Board 
  • Any support you would need to help you in your role as a Board Member 
  • If you have any previous experience of representing young people e.g., as part of a School Council/ Youth Group please tell us about this. Previous experience is not required.  

Your expression of interest will be shared with the selection panel and retained by the Council for 6 months after the conclusion of the selection process.  

Information for Applicants for EDI vacancy on Wednesbury Levelling Up Partnership Board

Meetings of the Board take place every other month, currently on Thursdays 3:30-6pm. The meetings are held in person and alternate between Wednesbury Town Hall and the Friar Park Millennium Centre.

There are opportunities for Board Members to get involved in other work of the Board including site visits and sub-group meetings.The position is voluntary.

The Board recognise that people interested in board member positions may not have previous experience of participating in multi-agency boards. An induction and ongoing support will be offered.

Applicants for WLUP Board vacancies must not be Elected Members, Council Officers, or Co-opted or independent members of any current council committees. 

Please note: If you attend Friar Park Millennium Centre e.g. Youth Club, you would not be able to vote on matters in relation with the Friar Park Millennium Centre project. 

Successful applicants will be required to sign the Councillor Code of Conduct which is based on the Seven Principles of Public Life (Nolan Principles) and will be required complete a register of interest setting out any private interests which may conflict, or may be perceived to conflict, with their board duties. Please see the WLUP Board Terms of Reference for further details. 

You will be given help to understand these documents and to complete them. 

The young person representative will be selected by a panel involving a representative from the Sandwell Youth Service and a representative from the WLUP Board.  

If you need more information or have any questions, please contact: 

Steve Walker, Senior Youth Officer - steven_walker@sandwell.gov.uk 

Simran Rhoad, Regeneration Programme Support Officer, Simran_rhoad@sandwell.gov.uk 

Published: Friday, 12th July 2024