Schools are being urged to encourage 11 to 17-year-olds to become the new generation of politicians in Wiltshire Youth Council.

The next election takes place between Monday, January 29th and Friday, February 2nd, 2024.

The elected will be involved in local decision-making and be able to influence funding for youth projects.

Wiltshire Youth Council was launched last year and, according to Wiltshire Council, the young councillors provided valuable input in a wide range of areas.

They supported the first ever Wiltshire Youth Pride event and the Youth4Ukraine campaign which raised over £12,000.

Future councillors will be elected for one year and will be asked to attend a meeting one evening per month. 

They will be expected to speak about issues that are important to them and represent the views of their peers.

Training will include learning skills such as debating and delivering presentations.

Councillor Laura Mayes, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “The best way to ensure that we are meeting the needs of children and young people is to empower them to influence the key decisions that will have an impact on them.

"The Wiltshire Youth Council gives young people an influential voice that can take forward their priorities in a wide range of areas including transport, climate change, youth services and education."