YOUNG people with a passion for politics have been selected for Warwickshire’s Youth Council.
The 15 councillors were elected for Stratford, Rugby, Warwick and Nuneaton and Bedworth and will be in office for 12 months.
They were joined by senior Warwickshire County Council members and officers for their first virtual meeting.
During their term, the youngsters will represent the views and interests of young people in their constituencies – both locally and nationally – by meeting councillors, MPs and other decision makers to take forward issues important to them.
The Youth Council will also play a key role in county council’s Child Friendly Warwickshire initiative – which aims to work with children and young people to ensure their views are heard and make a difference across the county.
Stratford youth councillor Gwilym Furn-Davis said: “I decided to stand for the youth council because I believe our generation deserves a say in how our lives are run and the Youth Council is a good way of getting our voice heard.
“The Youth Council is a great thing to be part of because it gives the chance to improve the lives of many young people across Warwickshire. My aims for next year are helping out with campaigns, public speaking and listening to people in our generation who want improvement in this area.”
Rugby youth councillor Kezia Hine said: “I wanted a chance to make a change and it would give me a chance to express my opinions and listen to other’s opinions. The Youth Council gives us a chance to make new friends and it gives us opportunities.”
Youth councillors are usually elected by votes held across Warwickshire schools, but owing to Covid-19 school closures this year they were selected through an application process.
County council strategic director Nigel Minns said: “The views and opinions of the young people of Warwickshire must be listened to – these are the people who will be shaping our future and there is no better way to start that than as members of the Youth Council. It is an incredibly important forum which enables the voices of young people to bring about real change. I thank all those youth councillors involved over the past year and wish the new members good luck for their terms in office.”
Visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/tys for more information about youth services in Warwickshire.
