The Cape Breton regional council will hold a special session of council later this month to discuss youth-related issues after hearing repeatedly from disenfranchised young people.

Mayor Cecil Clarke said it's time for young people to be given a forum for their ideas and their vision for the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

"We've heard too many times that young people feel disenfranchised, that we have old processes and old systems that aren't meeting the needs for a modern community," he said.

"Are we trying to manage issues of old and not preparing for opportunities of the future?"

Clarke said there will be at least two meetings a year, solely for youth issues.

"We have to bring youth into the legislative chamber and allow them to have their say, to have their input and most importantly for us to be responsible enough to follow up on their behalf," he said.

Clarke said any person with a youth-related issue can contact the municipal clerk's office to have their item put on the agenda.

Kim Desveaux, a former councillor and an advocate for a youth council, said she's eager to begin.

"We have a presentation prepared and we are looking forward to presenting before council and having CBRM create its first youth council, she said.

Desveaux said a youth council would stay in constant communication with regional council and could have a real influence on decisions while helping to develop leaders of the future.

Council's first special meeting on youth issues is scheduled for Nov. 26.