Council endorsed the nomination of a dozen Glen Innes citizens to join the committee: Troy Arandale, Elizabeth Cooper, Genevieve Elliott, Navanka Fletcher, Lloyd Hornsby, Peter Lisberg, Graham Little, Natasha McLennan, Jennifer Mackenzie, Peta Perrin, Hayden Smith, and Alexander Woods.

"It's good to see the interest that has been shown for that committee, and we look forward to being it able to provide good advice for the provision of youth services within our local government area," Mayor Steve Toms said.

The committee is expected to start operating within three weeks.

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The youth committee only has an advisory role, but it has been an important part of Deputy Mayor Carol Sparks’ campaign to promote policy to help young people.

The committee fits into council’s plan to turn the old shire council building, 181 Bourke Street, into a “youth hub”.

To that end, Council will apply for funding under the NSW government’s Regional Cultural Fund to develop a Youth Art and Cultural Centre. Applications close on Friday, September 21.

The original plan, in June 2018, was to turn the old council chambers into a youth centre.

Deputy Mayor Carol Sparks proposed turning the building into the Art and Cultural Centre, which would offer “a safe space where (young people) could access the (council) youth worker“.

Cr Sparks drove the plan through against the opposition of Mayor Steve Toms and Crs Jeff Smith and Colin Price, who argue that the money hasn’t been allocated in already settled spending plans.

The council youth worker is expected to operate from the centre 21 hours a week, and facilitate Indigenous art and dance classes, a homework space, and exhibitions of school children’s art works. The Police Citizen Youth Club (PCYC), Headspace, and Backtrack may also run programs from the centre.

Council will make the building available free of charge, and cover maintenance, gas, and electricity.