Issue - meetings

Young Mayor's Initiative Update

 

 

Meeting: 17/12/2024 - Cabinet (Item 9)

9 Young Mayor Initiative Update pdf icon PDF 166 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Background:

 

This report set out details of the Young Mayor Initiative and asked the Cabinet to approve Medway Council’s participation.

 

The report explained that the initiative would see the election of a Young Mayor and seven Deputy Young Mayors. The Young Mayor, and deputies, would mirror the  Mayor of Medway and attend a wide variety of events across the year that were suitable for a child figurehead to be involved with. They would play a key celebratory role in local events and celebrations and be an inspiring role model for children in Medway.

 

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken in relation to the Young Mayor’s initiative, details of which were set out in Appendix 3 to the report.

 

Decision

number:

 

Decision:

 

 

The Cabinet noted the existing gap of youth democratic opportunities for children and young people in Junior Schools.

156/2024

The Cabinet agreed to adopt the Young Mayor Initiative, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report subject to funding outside of the Council’s revenue budget being sought (option 2).

157/2024

The Cabinet supported the following elements of the Young Mayor Initiative:

  • The introduction of a Young Mayor to Medway
  • The introduction of 7 Deputy Young Mayors to Medway
  • The introduction of an Engagement Officer to facilitate these roles.

 

Reasons:

The Young Mayor initiative is a great way to empower children/ young people and amplify their voices, pushing Medway closer to its goal of being a child-friendly city. This programme will also provide an opportunity for children to have a leadership role in their community and encourages and promotes a knowledge of Medway Council’s role in the community. The Young Mayor introduces children and young people to democracy from an earlier age, as well as building profile and public relations for Medway on a national and international level. This position is voted by children and young people, to represent their voice.