Wyre Forest youngsters elected to county youth cabinet (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Wyre Forest youngsters elected to county youth cabinet

7:30am Monday 11th March 2013 in Local By William Tomaney

TWO Wyre Forest youngsters have been elected to represent the district in the Worcestershire Youth Cabinet.

Voting was held between January 28 and February 9, with the results announced during an event on Saturday, March 2 at County Hall in Worcester.

Only two of Wyre Forest’s five seats were contested and were won by Craig Bateman, 15, of King Charles I School, Kidderminster and Lauren Millichip, 15, of Stourport High School and VIIth Form Centre.

Young people, aged 11 to 18, are elected to the youth cabinet by people in their district for a term of three years. In Wyre Forest, 1,649 votes in the district were cast in schools, youth centres and voluntary groups.

Craig said: “It is both an honour and a privilege to be elected to represent the young people of Wyre Forest.

“Over the coming months, I hope to have the opportunity to meet as many young people as possible, to listen to their voice and try to make an active change, influenced by young people for the benefit of everyone.”

The King Charles pupil said be would provide greater opportunities for young people to become engaged in issues, promoting equality and tackling stereotyping and pushing for better costs and services on public transport.

In her election manifesto, Lauren said: “Our youth clubs are very popular yet subject to budget cuts, which is why I am going to try my best to save them.

“Also, I have noticed that public transport, such as buses, arrive at different times to those shown and therefore I am going to get them to come on time and make them more reliable.”

She said she also wanted to see “self-esteem workshops” introduced into schools to help students with confidence issues.

For more information on Worcestershire Youth Cabinet, visit worcestershire.gov.uk/cms/worcestershire-youth-cabinet