Youth Engagement

YOUNGSTERS GET INSIGHT INTO LOCAL DEMOCRACY IN ACTION

A Local Democracy event, hosted by The Buckingham School in partnership with The Royal Latin School was supported by BUCKINGHAM Town Council.
Fifty pupils spent the day engaging in debate, discussion, and civic learning with a panel of local representatives, including Mayor Fran Davies, councillors Jon Harvey, Anja Schaefer, Robin Stuchbury, Lucy Draper, Lisa O’Donoghue, Robina Ahmed, Roger Newall, and Sergeant David Kuttner and PC Guy Richards from Thames Valley Police.
The pupils explored a wide range of topics, including traffic management, spending, youth opportunities, community safety, the impact of East-West Rail, environmental concerns and ways young people can have a stronger community voice.

Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2026

 Young democracy in action in Newbury.

NEWBURY school pupils have been discovering how their town council works and what it takes to be a councillor.
The Berkshire town council welcomed pupils to the Town Hall for an interactive insight into civic life. During the two-hour sessions, the children met councillors and heard about the council’s responsibilities and how decisions are made.
Activities included a tour of the building, a visit to the Mayor’s Parlour and the opportunity to try on councillors’ robes.
Councillors also visited Trinity and St Barts schools where, after a brief introduction to the workings of Newbury Town Council, lively Q&A sessions took place.

Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2026

RECORD NUMBERS FOR COUNCIL

Sevenoaks Youth Council has welcomed a record 80 members after an huge wave of applications.
Every two years, SEVENOAKS Town Council invites nominations for youth councillors. Aged between 11 and 18, members represent the views of young people in the Kent town, organise events and campaigns, collaborate on community projects, and work alongside local leaders and councillors.
Participation in the council also helps members develop valuable skills, including confidence, leadership, and teamwork.
The newly formed council elected Aryana Mahdavi Ardestani as its chair.

■ Members of WEYMOUTH’S Youth Council engaged with about 60 young people ahead of their trip to London for Parliament Week.
They hosted Scout, Brownie and Explorer groups to help them understand more about how local government works and how they can get involved.
Short presentations from council members showed what they do and how the visiting groups could take part in future activities.
Councillors from Weymouth Town Council also attended, including Alex Fuhrmann, Kate Wheller, Louie O’Leary, Lee Harmsworth, Matt Bell and Mayor Caroline Nickinson.
A group from the Dorset town’s youth council went to London for a visit to the Houses of Parliament.

■ Young Opinions Unite (YOU) is a new FROME Town Council grant-making panel, made up of a group of Year 8 pupils.
They will select successful applicants for grants of up to £2,000, from a total fund of £10,000, aimed at projects supporting children and young people in the Somerset town.

Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2026

SPEAKING OF DEMOCRACY…

Twelve talented young speakers took to the stage for the inaugural Wealden Young Speakers’ Challenge, hosted by Wealden District Council.
The event hosted at the Civic Hall in HAILSHAM came alive with passion, insight, and eloquence, bringing together four teams of Sussex pupils aged 15-16, each delivering powerful 10-minute speeches on ‘What Democracy means for us and is it important to younger people?’
The competition showcased not only public speaking skills but also a deep engagement with civic values and democratic principles.

Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2026

Trowbridge Mayor Stephen Cooper with his new mayoral cadet Elizabeth Lytra.

ELIZABETH APPOINTED MAYORAL CADET

Elizabeth Lytra has been announced as the new TROWBRIDGE mayoral cadet for the 2025/26 civic year. Her appointment was unveiled by Mayor of the Wiltshire town Stephen Cooper. The youngster is an ordinary cadet with the Trowbridge Sea Cadet Unit and was presented with the official Mayoral pin badge and a certificate in recognition of her appointment. She has already taken part in several civic engagements, including the annual service, where she represented both the cadets and Mayor with pride and distinction. The cadet scheme offers young people the opportunity to engage in civic life, develop leadership skills, and represent the youth of Trowbridge in an honorary capacity. Mayor Cooper said: “I need to pay particular thanks to my Mayoral Cadet for the last two years. Rose Church started this journey with me as a keen and eager 14-year-old; she ends it as a capable and confident 16-yearold, who I am sure is destined for bigger and better things.

Clerks & Councils Direct, September 2025

TEENAGE MATTHEW AIMS TO BRIDGE AGE DIVIDE

A Buckinghamshire village has appointed its youngest ever parish councillor. CHEDDINGTON clerk Roz Roberts asked teenager Matthew Kehoe why he wanted to become a parish councillor. The 19-year-old said: “Growing up I was taught to be respectful to my elders and to the environment. Mum was part of the village WI as I was growing up, and then joined the parish council. “I was never a very outgoing child but I am now more conscious of others opinions and beliefs, which I think makes me an approachable and amiable person. ‘Several of my school friends were politically conscious and I suppose through them I gained a sense of understanding politics. “I work in the village shop, where I hear what is going on in and around the village. It was my decision, after listening to the views of the younger members of the public, to attend the council meetings after my 18th birthday. “I have always been conscious of both ‘old’ and ‘young’ viewpoints and the fact there tends to be a divide of opinions. I intend to act as a bridge between both generations and their differences.”

Clerks & Councils Direct, July 2025

Tabby and Friends perform during the Frome Busks annual event in the Somerset town.

POPPING UP TO KEEP THE COMMUNITY ENTERTAINED

The annual FROME Busks event showcased the talents of young musicians from Frome College and Selwood Academy. Eight amplified and acoustic stages ‘popped up’ around the Somerset town with donations collected going towards opportunities for more young people to access music lessons and activities throughout the year. Councillor Steve Tanner, moonlighting as stage manager for the Boyle Cross stage, said “Once again, Frome Busks was a fantastic town event: great music, great atmosphere and a great opportunity for young musicians to get experience of performing live. “The diverse range of music on offer, from Lula with her hand pan, pop, rock, folk, grunge and more offered something for all tastes.” Frome College music teacher Josh Hampson, who organises the event in partnership with Frome Town Council, said: “We’ve got a really vibrant music department at Frome college, with loads of performers. It’s a big deal for a 14-year-old to come out in public and play and sing – events like this are so important in building confidence. “This event also gets the youth of Frome seen in a positive light, out in public, doing something really impressive. It’s not just good for musicians; A-level music tech students will also gain technical experience by setting up the event.”

Clerks & Councils Direct, May 2025

Joshua Denning received his award from Mayor of Lyme Regis Philip Evans.

JOSHUA IS YOUNGEST FREEMAN

A dedicated fundraiser from LYME REGIS has been granted the Dorset town’s highest honour in recognition of his contribution to the community. Joshua Denning, 20, was granted the honorary freedom of the town after councillors voted unanimously to acknowledge the dedication and commitment he has shown to the many local organisations he has volunteered for. He won the ITV Westcountry Pride of Britain Fundraiser of the Year Award for his dedication to fundraising for organisations and events, including Regatta and Carnival Week, Lifeboat Week, Lyme Lunge, the Poppy Appeal, the fireworks’ display and the Lyme Regis Town Band performances, collecting about £50,000 for them. Mayor Philip Evans said: “Freedom of the Town is the greatest honour the council can bestow on one of its citizens and Joshua is the youngest ever to receive this acclaim. “We should recognise those who go that extra mile for our town and no one has put in more miles for Lyme than this extraordinary young man.”

Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2025

Pupils, teaching staff and local councillors who were involved in Local Democracy Week.

SCHOOLCHILDREN AND POLITICIANS ENJOY A HEALTHY DEBATING DAY

BUCKINGHAM Town Council had a blast celebrating Local Democracy Week at the Royal Latin School. The event brought together enthusiastic pupils from the Royal Latin and Buckingham Schools for an engaging day focused on local governance and civic involvement. A total of 35 pupils took part in a fun and lively discussion. Chaired by Mayor Anja Schaefer, the panel featured town and county councillors, along with Sainsburys Express store manager Earnest Antwi. They addressed a selection of questions covering local and national issues, providing valuable insights and sparking great debates. The Mayor said: “This was one of the most engaged political debates I have had in a long time.”

Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2025

The youth takeover of Frome Town Council served many purposes. Picture: Paul Blakemore.

YOUNGSTERS TAKE OVER CONTROL OF FROME TOWN HALL

A takeover of FROME Town Hall brought a riot of colour, noise and bubbling new ideas as young people and families filled every room. Frome Mayor Andy Jones signed a declaration, which was announced by the town crier, handing over power of the town to youngsters. Local arts organisation Terrestrial invited children to make the building, and the town, their own. One room was covered floor to-ceiling in paint, another had a forest brought in through the window, and a ‘cardboard city’, was created in the council chamber. Organisers hope the ideas generated among the mess will live on for a long time. It followed previous takeovers of the Somerset town’s library and museum. Terrestrial’s director Tom Spencer said: “At the heart of this wild set of arts experiences was an invitation for young people to feel their creativity has real power.” Adults had to sign a document on entry promising to let the young people be in charge. As the day went on, suggestions of ‘new rules for Frome’ were pinned up around the building – and then presented to the Mayor. They will be following up by attending a full meeting of the town council to put forward their ideas.

Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2025

The design painted on the side of
the former Chronicle building in Crewe.

YOUNGSTERS PLAY PART IN DESIGN

The first public art commission for the CREWE Arts Trail has been revealed. The Trail is being produced as part of the UKSPF funded Crewe Arts Development Programme and a huge, colourful mural has been painted on the end of the former Chronicle building in High Street. The artwork, named RE-Making Crewe, was co-designed by young people within the community, working with artist Cherie Grist. More than 70 youngsters from local organisations took part in six interactive workshops to come up with their own ideas for the design of the first mural, while discussing the town centre.

Clerks & Councils Direct, November 2024

Caernarfon (Gwynedd) Dewi Wyn Jones
Diss (Norfolk) Kieran Murphy

TOWNS APPOINT THEIR YOUNGEST EVER MAYORS

Mayor-making ceremonies have been going on across the country in recent weeks. Among them have been two town’s appointing their youngest ever first citizens. In Gwynedd, Dewi Wyn Jones is 27 and the new CAERNARFON Mayor said: “It is an honour and a privilege to be made mayor of such a special town. I am incredibly proud of Caernarfon and her people.” Across in Norfolk, Kieran Murphy has been appointed Mayor of DISS at the age of 21, having already served one year as First Citizen. He joined the council as an 18-year-old in 2020 and also serves on South Norfolk District Council. Many charities across the country will benefit from the change of mayor with outgoing incumbents handing out the proceeds of their year’s fundraising efforts and their replacements naming their chosen charities for the new year.

Clerks & Councils Direct, July 2024

Mayor Nigel Nutkins
with Dunsley Farm Shop Café manager Nicky

MAYOR ENJOYS A TASTY TREAT

TRING Mayor Nigel Nutkins was invited to the Dunsley Farm Shop Café opening by Karen Cox of the Central Training Group. The group manages the shop and provides training, apprenticeships and work opportunities for young people not in employment, education or training. The mayor said: “It was a pleasure to attend the opening of the new cafe at Dunsley Farm shop. Congratulations to the team and best wishes for the future.” Karen told the mayor about their plan to have the young people make all the food, as well as serving and other cafe roles. Tring Youth town clerk Emma Cave will be liaising with the group to discuss future potential collaborations to support young people in the Hertfordshire town.

Clerks & Councils Direct, May 2024

Stacie Allensby and Jack Jones

YOUTH CHAMPION POSITIONS
FOR JACK AND STACIE

Stacie Allensby and Jack Jones have been appointed as youth champions at WARMINSTER Town Council. Cllr Allensby and Cllr Jones will act as contacts for young people to talk about ideas. The two new positions recognise the needs of providing further provisions for young people and will create a more open dialogue between the youth of the Wiltshire town and the town council. The pair will also liaise with youth organisations to benefit activities available in the town.

Clerks & Councils Direct, May 2024

The Mayor of SEAFORD opened Seaford’s Civic Reception at The Mercread Youth Centre in early October, welcoming the High Sheriff of East Sussex, Richard Bickersteth, and other dignitaries, representatives from partnership organisations and authorities, and members of the public. The Mayor and Young Mayor of Seaford set the scene, introducing their chosen charities of The Mercread Youth Centre, The Youth Counselling Project, RNLI, and Seaford Lifeguards. The Youth Counselling Project detailed its vital service to the young people of Seaford and how it has been supporting more than 80 young people struggling with their mental health. Young Mayor of Seaford’s charities then presented their work. Starting with RNLI, which turns 200 next year, followed by Seaford Lifeguards highlighting the importance of safe and responsible swimming, explaining the invaluable work of the variety of roles within Seaford Lifeguards.

L-R: Fire Cadet Simon Wild, Serjeant at Mace Peter White, Deputy Mayor of Seaford Sally Markwell, Mayor of Seaford Olivia Honeyman, The High Sheriff of East Sussex Richard Bickersteth, Young Mayor of Seaford Nia Waite, Deputy Young Mayor of Seaford Ella Yulle, and Fire Cadet Jasmine Shelley

 Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2024

UPGRADE FOR YOUTH SHELTER

SANDY Town Council, Bedfordshire, is supporting the provision for young people in their town by replacing the current youth shelter. Contractor Play and Leisure installed the new youth shelter at Bedford Road Recreation Ground in November. The company also installed two anti-dog gates at Fallowfield the same day. The shelter aims to provide teenagers a place to ‘hang out’, socialise and watch nearby sports games. The design enables it be expanded to provide a meeting place and/or exercise centre for all ages in the future if needed.

Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2024

MAYOR EMBARKS ON RECORD THIRD TERM

The mayor of FARNHAM in Surrey, Cllr Alan Earwaker, renewed his promises of office for the third year running at his Civic Service on 9 July. He is the only councillor in the history of Farnham Town Council to have held the mayoral office for three consecutive years. During this new mayoral year, Cllr Earwaker has chosen a theme of “working together with the community, supporting young people”. In honour of his mission, he invited school representatives, community organisations and individuals who help deliver support to the community to be a part of his service. He said: “It is an immense privilege to be serving the community of Farnham for a third year. I am looking forward to seeing more of the fantastic work that our community does to make Farnham the place it is.”

Clerks & Councils Direct, September 2023

AWARDS

At their recent town council forum, the mayor and young mayor of SEAFORD celebrated those in the community providing exceptional support and services to people in and around the area. The 'Young Mayor’s Award' was presented to Amelia Woodgate for her volunteer work at the Seaford Down's Syndrome and Special Needs Group.
The 'Jean Cash Environment Award' went to Friends of Blatchington Pond, for their work in caring for the pond and surrounding wildlife.'Coastal Environment Champion' was Miriam Thundercliffe, for promoting environmental awareness. The 'Sporting Achievement Award' was won by Ocean Dadventure, for rowing 3000 miles across the Atlantic, raising money for Prostate Cancer UK and the Wolo Foundation. The 'Seaford Town Hero went to Gemma McFarlane, for initiatives such as Sharing Skills CIC, the Repair Café, and the Pre-Loved Uniform Exchange.'Community Charity Champions' were The Youth Counselling Project (pictured), for their work helping young people who need mental health support, and The 'Don Mabey Award' was given to Miranda Bearns-Lowles, for delivering outstanding events for the town including this year’s Coronation Festival.

Clerks & Councils Direct July 2023

NALC AWARD FOR PANDEMIC HERO

CLLR Stefan Heighway of GREAT DAWLEY Town Council in Shropshire won the NALC Young Councillor of the Year Award in late October. He was first elected to the council in 2015 aged 26 and became mayor in 2020 at the age of 31, serving a two-year term. During the pandemic, Cllr Heighway helped to deliver breakfast parcels to families on free school meals and hot meals to those who were isolated. He attended food parcel collection services across the parish to remain visible, helped with signposting to partner agencies and services and hosted online videos to maintain communication with community members. When restrictions were lifted, he helped to host welcome back events for the community and visited shops and businesses to thank those who had worked hard during lockdown. He said: “It’s an absolute honour to receive this award. I would like to thank everyone who has helped me throughout the years – it is truly appreciated.

Clerks & Councils Direct January 2023

THUMBS UP FOR KIDS’ GREEN FINGERS

FARNHAM Town Council in Surrey held its Farnham in Bloom Community Awards on 5 October to celebrate its volunteers’ horticultural achievements. The ceremony included special prizes for local schools. The mayor, Cllr Alan Earwaker, said: “Schools play a vital role in the Farnham entry to Britain in Bloom and South and South East in Bloom. Children from nursery age up to teenagers contribute through their school gardens, wildlife gardens and competitions. Getting youngsters gardening is great fun, complements their education and is an investment for future years.” The winner of the schools’ Bloomin’ Biodiversity award was Potters Gate Church of England Primary School, while Rowledge C of E School grew both the tallest sunflower and the biggest pumpkin. “Congratulations to all the schools that won prizes and thank you to all the children, parents and school staff who helped schools participate,” said the mayor.

Clerks & Councils Direct November 2022

STAR NOMINATION

Cllr Adam Duce, a member of GODALMING Town Council and deputy mayor of the Surrey town, has been named as a finalist in the Young Councillor of the Year category in NALC’s Star Council Awards 2022. He was nominated for his work in seeing through the Broadwater Youth Centre from being just an idea to a facility with nearly 300 young people on its books. The prestigious awards are the only ones in England that recognise the local (parish and town) council sector. They celebrate the positive contribution that local councils, councillors, clerks and county associations make to their communities. The winners will be announced at an online awards ceremony later this year.

Clerks & Councils Direct September 2022

APPRECIATION FOR COMMUNITY EFFORTS

At KIRTON IN LINDSEY Town Council, we are working with Duke of Edinburgh Scheme Bronze Award students from the local Huntcliff Academy to offer voluntary work, which forms part of the attainment of their DoE Award. In May the students volunteered to help refresh the railings around the town’s war memorial. They spent the morning preparing the railings by cleaning them, including the removal of lichen, and then repainting them in black and gold. This was in time for the town’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. At the end of June, the students returned to carry out more cleaning and painting, this time of the bollards and chain link fencing around the town green, supported by members of academy staff. The students were a credit to themselves, to Huntcliff and to the community in helping with this work for the benefit of everyone. The council is proud of such local community efforts, and has received keen interest from a number of our local youth organisations to help with other projects across the town. These have included tidying and preparation work by the local Brownies, Guides and Scouts ahead of a visit in July by the In Bloom judges. There was also assistance from the local fire station crew, who we’re sure will be happy to be included under the banner of youth organisations! Thank you to everyone who has become involved recently.

Neil Taylor-Matson, Town Clerk Kirton in Lindsey Town Council, North Lincolnshire

Clerks & Councils Direct September 2022

YOUNGSTERS GRADUATE TO WORLD OF WORK

Seven young people with learning disabilities and autism graduated in early August from the DFN Project SEARCH programme, a transition to work scheme run in partnership with KIRKLEES Council and Kirklees College in West Yorkshire. The graduates received their certificates in front of their families and rotation managers. The council expects that most of the first cohort of interns will successfully transition into sustained employment, with four of the seven already having secured paid work. Council leader Cllr Shabir Pandor said: “Huge congratulations are in order for our Project SEARCH interns. It’s been such a pleasure to welcome them to the council, but we are equally excited to wish them well on the next steps in their employment journey.” He added: “We want to give all young people in Kirklees the best start in life. Project SEARCH has given us the opportunity to welcome young people with learning disabilities and help them achieve their potential. It is a shining example of what individuals can achieve when they are given the space to grow, and the skills and confidence they need to achieve their ambitions.” The authority plans to continue supporting the programme. Young people who would like to get involved must be between 18 and 24 and have an education, health and care (EHC) plan in place.

Clerks & Councils Direct September 2022

NEW SKATE FACILITY READY FOR ACTION

WEYMOUTH Town Council in Dorset opened its new skatepark and parkour facility at the end of April, ahead of schedule. The £358,000 facility was built by local company Maverick. It includes a variety of features for skaters, BMXers and scooter riders in a space that they helped to design themselves. Alongside it is a separate bespoke parkour area for the local free running community. A special event to celebrate the opening of the new facility is planned for 2 July. Council leader Cllr David Harris said: “The idea behind this was always to create a community space that provides a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for people of all ages to have some fun. This is our way of showing the community, especially younger people, that we care about them and want to give them spaces where they can socialise and thrive.”

Clerks & Councils Direct July 2022

NEW YOUTH CENTRE OPENS ITS DOORS

BILLINGSHURST Parish Council has partnered with Sussex Clubs for Young People (SYCP) to open a new youth space in the West Sussex town. The Depot was officially opened on 11 June, the name reflecting the building’s previous use as a booking office for a coach garage. It fills a void in youth provision caused when the previous Youth Wing at The Weald School was closed in 2011. The council purchased the empty building on the High Street in autumn 2018 and renovated it using Section 106 funds from Horsham District Council. Work was held up by the Covid-19 pandemic and by the discovery of asbestos, but the upstairs is now let to a tenant while The Depot occupies the ground floor. It offers a coffee bar-type chill room, alongside social and educational activities. Parish council chairman Cllr Paul Berry (pictured right) and Peter Gooch, chairman of SYCP (left), hosted the opening ceremony and BBQ. Cllr Berry said: “I would like to thank my councillor colleagues for having the foresight to invest in this facility. However, councillors have the easy job really and it is the clerk Greg Burt and his team who have to then carry out decisions, and there are few things more difficult than purchasing property and dealing with leases, etc, so thank you to them.

WORKING TO ENGAGE NEXT GENERATION

CLLR Angela Snell, vice-chairman of WEALDEN District Council in East Sussex, went back to the classroom recently with a visit to Alfriston community primary school. She was welcomed to an assembly by headteacher Lindsey Hudson and spoke to children and staff about the work of the council. Year 3 and 4 students actively engaged in questions about being a councillor and what it entails. The children are already involved in local litterpicks organised by the authority. Cllr Snell said: “It was a real pleasure to visit such a warm and welcoming school. The students were engaged and incredibly responsive during the discussion.”

Clerks & Councils Direct March 2022

FOCUS ON SKILLS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

CHESTERFIELD Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield hosted the sixth annual Chesterfield & North Derbyshire Employability and Skills Conference on 9 February, with support from D2N2 Careers Hub. The conference, held in Staveley, brought together business leaders and education providers to address the future employability and skills of young people in the region.
Around 100 people attended, including students from Springwell Community College. The conference followed the Department for Education’s announcement last year that it plans to reform post-16 technical ed

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