LAST week I was delighted to join the deputy leader of the Vale of Glamorgan council Cllr Stuart Egan, who announced the results of an election for the first Youth Mayors for the county.

During Local Democracy Week, (October 13 - 17) almost 3000 votes were cast by young people aged 11-25 from Vale schools, youth clubs and young people’s organisations. Tom Chandler (17) from Penarth was elected as Youth Mayor and Emily Peters (15) from Barry as Deputy Youth Mayor.

This election is the culmination of over two years’ hard work by young people, the Vale Youth Forum and Vale Youth Service to establish a Youth Cabinet and ensure that young people have a strong voice in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Cllr Chris Elmore, cabinet member for education said,

“A commitment was made in 2012 to deliver a new level of youth engagement in the council’s decision making processes and my colleagues and I were determined that a Youth Cabinet and Mayor would be delivered. The Youth Cabinet has already been working with myself and Vale council cabinet colleagues and has been consulted on various projects and ideas currently being considered by officers and councillors.”

This election was also a very important first step in introducing young people to democracy and the electoral process-especially at a time when it is often said that our youngsters feel disengaged and disconnected from politics.

Young people have a tremendous amount to offer our communities and the Youth Cabinet and role of Youth Mayors are ideal channels for young people to proactively input into decisions which affect them.

I know that both Tom and Emily will be superb in their new roles and I wish them both the very best!