Two pupils from Framlingham College Senior School have been elected as members of the first East Suffolk Youth Council.
Launched this year and comprised entirely of young people from across East Suffolk, the new council was created to ensure the voices and concerns of young people from across our region are heard.
Malachi F, Year 12, and Guy M, Year 11, were the two successful elected candidates from Framlingham College, and they will join 30 other young people from up and down East Suffolk who have been elected to create the new East Suffolk Youth Council.
Described as an ‘innovative initiative designed to engage young people in politics and enable them to influence decisions affecting their lives and communities’, the elections took place ahead of an induction day held at East Suffolk House in Melton on Monday 18 November, where the 32 members of the Youth Council were ‘sworn in’.
During their induction, Malachi and Guy chose to focus their first priority on improving youth support services in the area, particularly those relating to mental health. The pair also received special training to help them embrace their new roles and understand the structure of council meetings.
Talking about the induction day, Guy M said: “It was so interesting to meet and liaise with the fellow youth councillors during our first induction day. We were able to guide and debate each other on topics which some may have been unfamiliar with and put forward suggestions and changes about current issues the youth of today face.
“As part of the Youth Council, I look forward in bringing about meaningful change to our area and working with my fellow council members to create a well-mannered equitable future for everyone. This generation has a unique perspective and passion to address the issues we face today – we are the leaders of tomorrow.”
The youth councillors will set their own priorities, have their own debates and reach their own decisions alongside support from East Suffolk Council, to ensure young peoples’ voices are heard in council decisions, and to drive real change across the district.
In a statement on the East Suffolk Council website, Cllr Anthony Speca, Chair of East Suffolk Council said: “The East Suffolk Youth Council is a centrepiece of my Chairship. I’m incredibly proud of our new Youth Councillors, who had the courage to stand for election, and the passion to represent their peers and communities. I’m excited for the ideas and energy they’ll bring to our local democracy, and I’m looking forward to working with and alongside them.”
Catherine Cranmer, Deputy Head Co-Curricular at Framlingham College, said: “We are very pleased to have elected two pupils to be part of the newly-formed East Suffolk Youth Council. The Council is an exciting opportunity for all young people in the area, and we fully support this powerful way of giving them a voice – allowing young people the chance to effect real change is good for us all. Our two Youth Councillors were chosen through a well-attended election, an enjoyable experience which gave the whole pupil body the chance to see democracy in action. As well as having an impact more widely, our two Youth Councillors will be able to benefit personally, learning the skills of negotiation while handling the responsibility of representing their peers.”
Visit the East Suffolk Council website to discover more about the Youth Council.
