21.—(1) There shall be for each F19[education and training board area] a Voluntary Youth Council elected in accordance with section 22 to advise F19[the education and training board] for that area on the preparation or implementation of any matter specified in a Development Plan prepared by F19[the education and training board].

(2) A Voluntary Youth Council, in addition to the function conferred on it by subsection (1)—

(a) shall be a forum for the voluntary youth work organisations operating in the F20[education and training board area] to discuss the provision of youth work programmes and youth work services in the area, and

(b) shall nominate persons for appointment to a youth work committee for the purposes of section 20(2)(c).

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsections (1) and (2)(a), a Voluntary Youth Council shall, in providing advice and in its role as a forum, have regard to—

(a) the treatment of male and female young persons, respectively, in relation to access to youth work, and

(b) the numbers of male and female young persons, respectively, who are likely to participate in youth work programmes and youth work services.