Wiltshire's newly elected Youth Councillors meet for first time
Twenty young people from ten schools will represent the county's teens
Young people from across Wiltshire have joined together for their first event as newly elected Youth Councillors for the county.
29 candidates have been appointed from 10 schools to ensure young people's voice is heard in all decision making.
Those elected have been meeting with Wiltshire Council Deputy Leader, Cllr Laura Mayes.
She congratulated them on their appointments and the young people undertook votes to fill key roles within the group such as who would be the representatives nationally, as members of Youth Parliament, Head Secretary and Deputy.
The aim of Wiltshire Youth Council is to:
- Meet up with Wiltshire Council leaders and have their say on local decisions
- Work with area boards to ensure funding for youth projects has the right impact for them and their peers
- Review services to ensure they represent young people's best interests
- Communicate with their peers so young people's views are properly represented
- Have the opportunity to meet councillors and cabinet member for a particular area of interest
Youth councillors will be asked to commit one evening per month to attend a full youth council meeting, which will focus on issues important to the young people.
They'll get training to support them in their roles, covering topics including debating, running a youth review/inspection and delivering presentations.
Wiltshire Youth Council is also made up of Special Advisors - young people that ensure that the views of the underrepresented are heard, such as young carers, children in care, LGBTQ+ young people and military families.
Cllr Laura Mayes, Deputy Leader of Wiltshire Council said:
"This was a great opportunity to meet our new youth councillors and hear their views and what they wish to achieve during their one-year term in office. I very much look forward to working with them as a key part of our decision making.
“Young people are our future and we need to ensure we listen to their views as the decisions we make today will affect everyone's future tomorrow."
Wiltshire Youth Council’s Head Secretary, Katie Hyland, aged 15, said:
“I’m so thrilled to have been elected as Head Secretary. For this role, I’m excited to support Wiltshire Youth Council in making change to our community. I’m looking forward to seeing what new experiences and opportunities this role will bring!”