New Members of Youth Parliament announced
Shropshire’s new Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) have been announced.
The new MYPs are Brogann Griffiths, 16 from Broseley, who attends William Brookes School, and Niamh Limerick, 15 from Wem, who attends Thomas Adams School. New deputy MYPs are Shrewsbury Sixth Form College student David Parton, 17 from Shrewsbury, and Laura Sheldon, 15 from Ludlow, who attends Ludlow CE School.
The successful candidates were announced on Thursday 7 February 2013 at an election results evening at the Council Chamber, Shirehall, Shrewsbury, organised by Shropshire Council’s positive activities team. The event was attended by 160 young people, voluntary youth groups, parents and councillors.
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.
Young people aged 11 to 18 have been voting for their MYPs at schools and colleges throughout Shropshire since 1 December 2012. More than 18,000 young people voted in the 2013 MYP elections, which is the biggest turnout since they were first held in the county in 1999.
This year, 18 young people from across Shropshire stood as candidates for four positions – two MYPs and two deputy MYPs.
The event began with a chance to listen to the Boreatton Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps. Young people then had the opportunity to get involved in several workshops including Shrewsbury Youth Theatre,’ To the Ends of the Earth’ and ‘Raspberries and Robots’ run by Boreatton Explorer scouts, Duke of Edinburgh, Debating with the MYPs, and ‘Draw a Caricature’. The end of the evening rounded off with the announcement of the retiring MYPs and the election results of the new members.
Keith Barrow, Leader of the council, attended the event to congratulate the new MYPs and give out funding certificates totaling £81,000 to the voluntary youth clubs, who had applied for monies to develop activities for young people.
Keith Barrow said:
“I was so pleased to see so many young people taking part in the MYP elections again this year. The UK Youth Parliament gives young people a great opportunity and insight into how democracy works.
“I was also delighted to be able to present funding certificates to the voluntary youth clubs. It is great to see young people engaging in shaping their own future and taking an interest in the issues that matter to the young people of Shropshire and their local communities.”
Karen Burgoyne, Shropshire Council’s deputy Cabinet member for learning and skills, said:
“Shropshire’s MYPs ensure the views of the young people within their constituencies are listened to by meeting with MPs and local councillors, organising events and campaigns, and holding debates.
“Our 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.”
For more information about the MYP elections contact Lorraine Warrender on 07582 002587 or email lorraine.warrender@shropshire.gov.uk.
The grants issued at the event were assessed by young people themselves and our Members of Youth Parliament ratified the grants.
Back row, left to right Niamh Limerick MYP, Councillor Karen Burgoyne, Councillor Keith Barrow, David Parton deputy MYP. Front row, left to right Laura Sheldon deputy MYP, and Brogann Griffiths MYP.
