EPPING FOREST DISTRICT YOUTH COUNCIL ELECTIONS

Are you aged between 13 and 17 and want to give young people a voice in the community? If yes, the Epping Forest Youth Council (EFYC) are looking for candidates like you to stand for election to be a Youth Councillor to represent young people in the Epping Forest district.

There are 20 seats up for grabs - 2 for each of the 8 secondary schools in the district and 4 independent seats for candidates who either attend school or College outside the district, or are excluded from school, home educated or even working. Youth Councillors are elected for 2 years. They are required to attend 2 evening meetings a month at the Civic Offices in Epping. They will also have to organise a community event at their school, encouraging pupils to volunteer and to give something to the community, embracing the Big Society theme. The Youth Councillors will be trained to develop skills in public speaking and giving presentations. The schools will be invited to visit the Civic Offices to meet their local Councillors, participating in a question and answer session to boost their understanding about local democracy in the district.

Epping Forest Youth Council are an elected group of non-party political young people. Formed in 2007, it was set up to involve young people in the decisions made by Epping Forest District Council on services and issues that affect their age group. If you are interested in becoming a Youth Councillor please read a complete the EFYC candidate information booklet and return to us by Friday 24 February 2012. If you would like more information contact Diane Butler, the Young Persons’ Officer by telephone on 01992 564365.

YOUNG PEOPLE VOTE TO LOWER VOTING AGE

Epping Forest District Youth Council have hosted a debate and vote which brought forward a motion that the voting age in the UK should be lowered from 18 to 16 years of age. 54% voted in favour of the motion at an event held at the Civic Offices in Epping designed to encourage an interest in democracy among the district's younger residents.

The Youth Council had an opportunity to meet with and question District Council Chairman, Cllr. Mrs. Penny Smith, Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing and Harlow MP Bill Rammell.

The full debate was webcast and can be viewed by clicking on this link.

YOUNG PEOPLE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Epping Forest Youth Council is an elected group of non-arty political young people between the ages of 13 to 19 who live in the Epping Forest District. The Youth Council was formed in 2007 primarily to involve young people in the decisions made by Epping Forest District Council. The Council wanted to know what young people thought about its services and about the issues that affect them.

The Youth Councillors are now planning the 2nd Youth Election and schools, youth groups and Epping Forest College will hold Youth Elections at the end of September. Any one aged 13 to 17 who lives in Epping Forest can nominate themselves to stand as a Youth Councillor and, if elected, they will sit for 2 years and be required to attend 2 evening meetings a month. There are 5 independent seats for young people who either attend school or College outside of the district, are excluded from school, home educated or are working.

For more information, you can download an information pack by clicking here. Alternatively, you can contact Dian Butler, Young Persons’ Officer on 01992 564365 or by emailing her at dbutler@eppingforestdc.gov.uk