East Suffolk Council
Join East Suffolk’s new Youth Council and make a difference!
Young people in East Suffolk are invited to make a difference in their local community by standing for election to a new youth council.
A new East Suffolk Youth Council will be formed, comprising at least two representatives from every secondary educational institution in East Suffolk, as well as the homeschooled. The Youth Council will influence decisions and drive real change across the district. Youth councillors will work closely with East Suffolk Council to ensure young peoples’ voices are heard loud and clear in council decisions.
Cllr Anthony Speca, Chair of East Suffolk Council said: “I’m a teacher and lecturer as well as Chair of East Suffolk Council, and I believe it’s vital to engage young people in politics. They’re a huge part of our communities, but they’re often left out of discussions about how to make things better now and for the future. But the future belongs to them especially, and it’s only fair that their voice is heard. Our democracy will be stronger for it, too.
“I’m proud that we’re establishing the new East Suffolk Youth Council as a special Chair’s initiative. It will have robust links with East Suffolk Council, and youth councillors will be able to influence discussions and debates. I’d encourage every young person to think about standing for election as a youth councillor. It’s a great opportunity to make a difference!”
The Youth Council will be apolitical, with its own special rules of procedure designed to promote open discussion. There will be three Youth Council meetings each year – one in-person and two online – with plenty of opportunities between meetings to get together and get things done.
Each Youth Councillor will be elected for a two-year term, or until they leave education or turn 19 years of age. They will be able to set their own priorities, bring forward their own motions, and make suggestions to the district council on key issues of importance not just to young people, but to our communities as a whole.
All the newly elected Youth Councillors will come together for an induction day in November. At the induction day, they will receive special training to help them to understand their new roles, and they will be able to get to know one another. And they will continue to have the support of the Chair, as well as other East Suffolk councillors and officers all throughout their terms of office.
Aged 11 to 19 and would like to run for the Youth Council?
You can also email civic.secretary@eastsuffolk.gov.uk to find out more.