Countdown to announcement of Shropshire’s new Members of Youth Parliament

The countdown is on towards 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 1 December 2011.  The successful candidates will be announced on Thursday 2 February 2012 at an election results evening 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 12 months.  They will ensure that young people’s views are heard and influence policies on a range of issues which affect them.

This year 13 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 16,000 young people voted in the 2011 MYP elections, which is the biggest turnout since they were first held in the county in 1999.  It is hoped that this year even more young people will take up the opportunity to vote.

During the evening there will be presentations, and young people will have the opportunity to get involved in several workshops including 2012 Olympics and youth engagement, setting up an Independent Youth Advisory Group with the police, circus skills, and come and meet the MYPs and councillors.

Councillor Keith Barrow, Leader of the council, will also be attending the event to give out funding certificates to the voluntary youth clubs, who have applied for monies to develop activities to young people.

Councillor Barrow said:

“The UK Youth Parliament gives young people a great opportunity and insight into how democracy works. 

“It’s fantastic to see so many young people taking an interest in the issues that matter to the young people of Shropshire and their local communities.  Judging by the large number of young voters, I am delighted to say democracy is alive and well in our county.”

Councillor Karen Burgoyne, deputy Cabinet member for learning and skills, said:

“Shropshire’s MYPs work extremely hard to ensure that young people have a voice at a local and national level, and I am very proud of their achievements since the elections were first held more than a decade ago.

“Our current MYPs and Speak Out Group have worked extremely hard to promote these elections to raise awareness and encourage pupils to put themselves forward to stand in the elections.”

Young people from schools, colleges and youth projects have been invited to join the candidates at the elections results evening, from 5pm to 9pm.

The end of the evening will round off with the announcement of the retiring MYPs and the election results of the new members.

Shropshire Council’s customer insight team is supporting the young people who are standing as candidates and supports the elected MYPs.

For more information about the MYP elections, go to www.shropshireyouth.com, or contact Lorraine Warrender on 01743 210417 or Dawn Lewis on 01743 210415. 

Note

The grants issued at the event were assessed by young people themselves, and our Members of Youth Parliament ratified the grants.