Youth Cabinet Elections...Taking Place Now!
TAKE PART – HAVE POWER
This is your chance to really get involved.
Are you interested in representing the views of students in your
school and in your local community? Would you like to be able
to ensure the voice of young people is heard by the decision makers
both locally and nationally? Then why not stand for election in the
forthcoming Youth Cabinet Elections.
Every two years, youth cabinet elections are
held across Bedford Borough. This year we are looking for even more
representatives to sit on the Borough Youth Cabinet. This year we
are working with Middle, Upper, Special, Independent schools,
‘Connexions’ for young people not at school, the ‘Foyer’ for young
people who live independently, and the ‘Children in Care Council’
for looked after children and young people.
Elections are taking place in 35 different
schools and various settings throughout April and May 2010. If you
would like to stand for election in your school or setting, you
need to be between 11 - 18 years-old, and live, or go to school, in
the Bedford Borough.
So are you interested? To find out more why
don’t you download a pack from www.bedford.gov.uk/youthcabinet,
fill it in, and return to us, and we will make sure you are added
to the candidate list.
Once we've got your form we'll be in touch
about attending an information session so you can find out more
about what it is about, get some tips on campaigning, and let you
know when the election is due to take place in your school or
setting.
Alban Middle School was the first school to
hold their election in March, with 12 candidates putting themselves
forward and 222 votes being cast to elect their ward members at the
Alban Middle polling station.
Youth Cabinet members have the chance to work
together to improve the lives of young people who live or go to
school in the borough. Over the last two years, youth cabinet
members have:
Organised a youth conference attended by 60
young people
Worked with the council to develop eXpand - a
scheme where young people can access free transport to youth
activities and events
Taken part in residential courses
Had training on topics such as diversity,
autism awareness, basic sign language, presentation skills
Met with Chief Executives, directors, senior
managers, the Mayor and Councillors from a range of organisations
like the police, NHS, schools and the council to discuss issues
Represented Bedford Borough at regional and
national meetings, events and residentials
Once the all the elections have taken place,
Bedford Borough Youth Cabinet will also elect two representatives
to sit on the UK Youth Parliament and look at national and regional
issues that affect young people.
The Bedford Borough Member of Youth Parliament
(MYP) and Deputy Member of Youth Parliament (DMYP) will also sit on
the Borough Children's Trust Board.
If you would like to find out more, you can
download the pack from www.bedford.gov.uk/youthcabinet or
text / email Emma Sparrow on 07795 686381 emma.sparrow@bedford.gov.uk.
Packs can be returned by fax, email, or
post to Bedford Borough Council, Emma Sparrow, Borough Hall, 6th
Floor, Cauldwell Street, Bedford, MK42 9AP