New faces on Ceredigion Youth Council

New faces joined Ceredigion County Council’s Youth Council on Wednesday 20 September 2016, nearly a year on from when it was first established.

The Youth Council has gone from strength to strength since it was first set up in November 2015, and this month new members were elected in the Council Chamber in Penmorfa, Aberaeron.

During the meeting members of the Youth Council were required to elect a new Chair and a Vice Chair and elect a representative to attend the ‘UK Youth Parliament’ in London this November. Nest Jenkins (Bro Pedr School) was elected as Chair and Joe Wilkins (Penglais School) and Wil Rees (Penweddig School) were elected as Vice Chairs. Nest Jenkins will represent Ceredigion in the ‘UK Youth Parliament.’

There was a varied agenda for the meeting this month with presentations on the activities of ‘Young Wales’ and the ‘Youth Parliament’ event. The Youth Council is made up of two young people from every secondary school, and other young people’s forums in the county, for example Ceredigion Youth Service, The Urdd Forum, Young Farmers Club, Coleg Ceredigion, Hyfforddiant Ceredigion Training, Ceredigion Young Carers, Ceredigion Active and Aelwyd Pantycelyn amongst others.

Cabinet member for Learning Services, Children and Young People’s Partnership, Councillor Hag Harris, said: “The Youth Council is an opportunity for young people to raise their concerns, share their opinions, discuss current projects, activities and events led by Ceredigion County Council and provide feedback on them. They have some great ideas and we can learn a great deal from them!”

Nest Jenkins the new Chair of the new Youth Council said: “I am delighted to be elected and be part of this forum. I think it’s important that young people have a platform to share their thoughts and ideas with the local Council.”

The Youth Council meets three time a year in the Council Chamber in Penmorfa, Aberaeron. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 17 January 2017.