The countdown has started in the build-up to the announcement of Shropshire’s new Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs).
Young people aged 11 to 18 have been voting for their MYPs at schools and colleges throughout Shropshire since Thursday 7 January. The successful candidates will be announced on Monday 8 February at an election results day at the Council Chamber, Shirehall, Shrewsbury, organised by Shropshire Council’s Youth Support team.
The new MYPs will represent young people locally, regionally and nationally for the next twelve months. They will ensure that young people’s views are heard and will influence policies on a range of issues which affect them.
This year nine young people from across Shropshire, also aged between 11 and 18, are standing as candidates for four positions - two MYPs and two deputy MYPs.
More than 12,000 young people voted in the 2009 MYP elections which is the biggest turn-out since they were first held in Shropshire in 1999. It is hoped that this year even more young people will take up the opportunity to vote.
Councillor Aggie Caesar-Homden, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services said: “It’s great to see so many young people taking part in local democracy. We always welcome input from all young people into what happens, both within and beyond their local community, and MYPs in Shropshire are very active in helping the council to decide its priorities and scrutinise its work.
“They work extremely hard to ensure that young people have a voice at a local and national level and I’m very proud of their achievements since the elections were first held more than ten years ago.”
Young people from schools and other venues where voting has taken place have been invited to join the candidates on the elections results day, from 9.30am to 2.30pm. During the event they will have the chance to attend fun, interactive workshops to consider the issues which are most important to them - and which will form the MYPs’ manifesto. This document will outline what they want to see happen for young people in Shropshire.
Officers from Shropshire Council have supported the young people who are standing as candidates and will continue to support the elected MYPs in carrying out their roles.
Young people who would like to go along to the election results day and have not been invited to date can contact Lorraine Warrender, MYP Support Worker, on 01743 256227 or 07766 474078 for details. Lorraine can also be contacted for further general information about the MYP elections.
Issued: 29 January 2010