Warwickshire News Mine

Queues were reported at one of the polling stations in Leamington yesterday, while the number of text votes received has already exceeded last year’s total.

Four MYPs are to be elected, with voting taking place by text message and at youth centres across the county.

This year there are nine candidates coming from all over Warwickshire. Voting started on Sunday and will close on 26 February. The results will be announced on 28 February.

All young people between the ages of 13-19 are entitled to vote. They can do so by texting YSS and the first name of the candidate that they are voting for to 60003 (eg YSS Nick).

MYPs represent the views of Warwickshire young people at local, regional and national events.

At a local level they meet with groups of young people and represent their views at County Council consultations such as the Cooperate Performance Assessment.

The MYPs meet with officers and councillors from Warwickshire County Council on a regular basis. They are frequently asked by the Government ministers and the opposition to represent their peers/ constituents in debates on issues such as transport and services to young people.

Young people were involved in the selection panel for the new Chief Executive of the council, and also the appointment of the Assistant County Education Officer with responsibility for Special Needs Education.

They led a study to find out more about young people’s needs in transport, and have worked with Warwickshire police to ensure that literature about Anti-Social Behaviour Orders is in clear language. They also presented a petition to Ten Downing Street calling for a national identity card scheme to introduced for teenagers to ensure that young people aged under 16 can get concession rates on public transport.

The candidates are:
Abu Ali, aged 16, from Nuneaton
Aidan Steele, aged 15, from Warwick
Bryony Howell, aged 14, from Leamington
Charlotte Kelk, aged 15, from Shipston
Gurdit Ruprah, aged 15, from Leamington
Jake King, aged 15, from Rugby
Jessie Coupe, aged 17, from Rugby
Kyle Storey, aged 15, from Warwick
Mark Smith, aged 15, from Warwick

Link to WCC