Young people in Basildon have earned themselves a voice - while setting an example to the rest of Britain.

The district now has its first integrated youth policy which the British Youth Council has hailed an example of good practice.

Sections of the document, drawn up by Basildon District Council, have even been quoted in the countrywide council's Guide to Developing a Youth Policy.

The aim of Basildon is to get all organisations working together to provide better services in the future - with the views and needs of the youngsters at the heart of all decisions.

An action plan has been set out to make that possible.

Labour councillor Nigel Smith, chairman of the community and leisure committee, said: "One of the key phrases which shaped this document is the belief that young people are not being seen as being the citizens of tomorrow but rather they are the citizens of today.

"This is particularly important in our district where around 20,000 of our total population of 163,000 are young people.

"This strategy will help start a much-needed review of the services on offer to young people in this district. Most of them are provided by Essex County Council and it is highly encouraging that county has welcomed our initiative, and is looking to draw up similar arrangements with all district councils in Essex.

"This council is committed to involving as many people as possible in its decision-making, and young people are a particularly key group.

"They have distinct needs but we hope to involve them in shaping the way their services are provided in the future. There is a great creativity waiting to be tapped and we, along with many other agencies, have been guilty of not always listening to our young people."

The policy has been drawn up with local young people - aged 14 to 24 - and those groups working with or for young people, including headteachers, social services, youth services, local health services and various voluntary groups.

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