Marlborough town council has the formation of a youth council as one of its priorities running up to elections in 2017. A working party was formed a year ago and several meetings have been held.
But as Councillor Lisa Farrell told her fellow councillors, some of those involved with the nascent Youth Council have fallen in love and others have had exams – leaving too little time for building up the Council.
A visit by Councillors Farrell and Cook and the Town Clerk to watch Corsham’s Youth Council in action has changed their views and inspired them to take fresh action. Corsham’s Council is made up of ten year-olds and upwards and has been in running for over five years.
One of the youngest members was in the chair – steering discussions and keeping order with louder gavelling than is heard at Marlborough town council meetings.
Marlborough town councillors have now agreed the age range for the town’s Youth Council should start at 10 rather than at 13 – as this will allow proper engagement with the primary schools.
As evidence of the enthusiasm shown by the younger age group, Councillor Farrell said they had 74 ten year-olds involved in the youth activities she and Councillor Cook are running at the old youth centre.