Celebration as record number of youth councillors are elected

A record number of young people have joined the City of Wolverhampton Youth Council this year.

The 54 successful candidates – who attend schools across the city – were officially announced at a special event in the Council Chamber recently which also celebrated the Youth Council's many achievements over the last 12 months.

Mayor Councillor Claire Darke was joined by Cabinet Member for Children and Young People Councillor John Reynolds, City of Wolverhampton Council's Director of Children’s Services Emma Bennett and Deputy Chief Executive Mark Taylor to welcome the new youth councillors.

Councillor Reynolds said: "The City of Wolverhampton Council is committed to ensuring that our young people are included in the democratic processes and that our services meet their needs, and we welcome the level of challenge and scrutiny that members of our Youth Council provide.

“It was a pleasure to meet them and speak to them about what the role of being a councillor involves."

The new youth councillors are currently taking part in an induction before beginning their term of office next month.

The event, chaired by the Youth Council Chair Larisa Corr and Vice Chair Melvin Riley, also provided an opportunity to reflect on some of the Youth Council's recent achievements, including a record turnout in the recent Make Your Mark vote – the highest in the Midlands – which determined the subjects that Youth MPs debated in the House of Commons during Parliament Week.

Youth councillors also helped develop the successful WV Holiday Squad programme of activities for young people during the school holidays, contributed to the council's new Co-Production Charter and produced a video in support of the local authority's recent declaration of a Climate Change Emergency.

Councillor Reynolds added: “The Youth Council has been incredibly active this year, raising the profile of Wolverhampton's young people both on a local and national stage, and contributing to the development of services for vulnerable children, young people and their families.

“We are really looking forward to working with our new youth councillors over the next 12 months."

To contact the Youth Council, please call 01902 556002.