Young Mayor 4 melton - past
years
Young Mayor 2010/11 - David
Downing
Here is an overview of what it is like to be
Young Mayor...
Firstly the role of the Young Mayor is to give
young people a voice, to get them involved in politics and to
represent young people and their views at council meetings.
Sometimes you can even make a difference; I have just managed to
secure free swimming for under 17’s for this summer for
instance.
My time as Young Mayor is coming to an end now
and looking back, I think that for me one of the most enjoyable
aspects was actually campaigning to become Young Mayor. Part of
this was due to the humorous posters we produced as part of the
campaign and the laughs they produced between me, my teachers and
my friends. I think the printing staff still haven’t forgiven me
though for all the credit I used up.
Irrespective of humorous posters, the campaign
is taken very seriously and each candidate has to produce a
manifesto which is then uploaded to YouTube for the public to
see.
My four campaign pledges were:
- To have a cycle map produced showing safe cycling in and around
Melton
- To have free swimming brought back for under 17’s
- To set up a Young Mayor Facebook page to make it easier for
young people to express their views
- To see about improving public transport for young people
Out of these 4, I have managed to achieve the
first 3, the fourth has not been manageable in the current economic
climate due to the transport cuts being brought in from County
Hall.
As Young Mayor I have enjoyed accompanying
both the current mayor and the former mayor to a variety of
official functions. All of these opportunities have been
wonderful, starting with my participation in the Remembrance Sunday
parade. Others have included the Melton Times business awards
evening, the Pera Foundation young enterprise final and the
official opening to the Twycross Zoo art gallery.
Being young mayor I have experienced joy and
frustration from various things, for example the joy came from
hearing the news that my petition to reinstate free swimming had
been accepted and that free swimming was back this summer and
giving out certificates to high achievers. The frustration has come
recently. You may remember hearing about a music festival tribute
to Niki Orridge that was due to take place this August, Melton
Fest. Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances, this has now
had to be put back a year. That was extremely frustrating to me as
I personally put a lot of work into its organisation and managed to
raise £800 towards the overall costs.
Looking back over the whole year I have felt
extremely privileged and fortunate to have held the position of
Young Mayor and to represent young people’s views at the Borough
Council. I have had a remarkable insight as to how political
decisions are made. I have been to several council meetings without
being a member of the council so I have had a hand in influencing
some decisions whilst remaining outside of the formal political
mechanisms.
It has been a great time for me personally and
I would wholeheartedly recommend anyone thinking of standing to
take the plunge and do it.
Alternatively if you are aged between 11 and
18 years of age and love to mix and be with young people come along
and join The Youth Council which
provides activities for young people and is open to boys and girls.
We are short of members and would dearly love more young people to
join us in our mission to entertain the youth of held many
well attended notable events including the youth forums which
provide a voice for young people. Your involvement would count as
community action for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and also
looks good on your CV.
Deputy Young Mayor 2010/11 - Craig
Gregson
“I have a loud mouth that people listen to – I
come up with great ideas that could really benefit Melton
Mowbray. I go to The Hub and listen to what students
want. I want to make Melton a better place for young
people”
Research during the 2001 elections noted that
young people were reported as the most likely of all groups to talk
to family and friends about politics but the least likely of all
groups to vote. They were also the most likely of all groups to
complain that the election gave them too little information about
candidates, policies and the political parties as a whole. As part
of the continued development and support of the young mayor we also
promote local democracy to schools and colleges in a variety of
ways. Schools have been very supported with this and overall
turnout for the elections was 34.47%.
YOUNG MAYOR (Vas Mohankumar)
2009/10
Vas has had a busy year in post and.....
Cllr. Margaret Moore, the current Mayor of Melton added "The
predecessors did very well so the newly elected have got some high
expectations to live up to but I’m sure they will do their
best."
The Deputy Young Mayor for 2009/10 was Adam Culley
YOUNG MAYOR (Thomas North) 2008/09
Young Mayor (2008/09) Thomas North said:‘’I am very
pleased. It is nice to be recognised for the work I have done with
the Youth Council. I want to work on getting better facilities for
the youth of the Borough, focus on improved and cheaper transport,
and challenging the media and their view of dangerous thugs and
vandal roaming the streets.
Last Years Young Mayor Nicki
Orridge said of her year: ‘’I have had a very enjoyable time. My
biggest task has been setting the foundations for my successor this
year as Young Mayor, making sure everything is in place. My
highlights have been the trip on board HMS Quorn and the Mayors
Christmas Dinner in the church’’
Youth Champion Cllr Pam Posnett said: "It's been an excellent
campaign and it is great to see that so many of the youngsters at
the school can be bothered to turn out and vote. The scheme has
been really successful. The past year has been a learning curve.
Melton Council and the Youth Council are going to work together and
where we share priorities there will be representatives of the
young people on the relevant committees."
The Deputy Young Mayor for 2008/09 was Adam
Culley
This was the submission by Adam for the 2008
Election.
My parents have always told me that
to learn you have to make mistakes and I often have to remind my
parents that when I stuff up – “Kids stuff up – it’s what we do!”
My campaign motto is “Enjoy being young, make the most of
opportunities, stuff up occasionally and close your bedroom
door!”
On behalf of the borough’s youth I
can only pledge to do my best and remind others when they are not
doing theirs. Please vote for me and I will try to make sure your
opinions and voices are heard through mine.
]