The Young Mayor of Newham is the council’s flagship initiative for working with local young people. By putting power to influence decision-making directly into the hands of young people, the Council is strengthening local democracy and reinforcing an inclusive community spirit, which is the lifeblood of our vibrant and diverse borough. A democratic election contest for the Young Mayor and Youth Council gives every young person the opportunity to take part in local decision-making. Young people participate as nominees, candidates, election agents, and of course as voters. The Council acknowledges critique of the initiative as a valuable form of participation which reinforces our accountability to the community. Young people possess a range of talents and interests and we recognise the role of Young Mayor or Youth Councillor will not appeal to everyone. We provide a vast range of other activities for young people to take part in.
Young people’s opinion piece described the indifference felt by a small minority of young people towards the 2008 Young Mayor Election. The annual Young People’s Survey which was generated by the Newham Council shows strong and growing support among young people for the Young Mayor and Youth Council scheme. The Young Mayor website is the primary source of information for young people to find out how to get involved and keep up to date with the work of the Young Mayor and Youth Council.
Newham’s young people are able to make informed choices when electing their representatives. The aims of all the candidates for Young Mayor are widely publicised through posters, leaflets, PowerPoint presentations, DVDs and video manifestos available in schools, colleges and online. All nominees and candidates are supported to lead their election campaign to win support from their friends, neighbours, classmates and peers.
As part of their election campaign, each candidate develops a manifesto based around their priorities for young people and how they will make positive changes to the local area. The new elected Young Mayor’s article quotes election slogans taken out of their original context within manifesto statements. These slogans and statements are necessarily inspirational.
They are written by young people for whom this is usually their first experience of standing for election. Young people decide at the ballot box which manifestos resonate best with the concerns that matter to them.
The Young Mayor and Youth Council may be judged on their delivery of positive changes during their term in office. In the last year they have focused on three key priorities: tackling crime and fear of crime, building sustainable communities and increasing opportunities for young people. These priorities have informed their decision-making in spending the Young Mayor’s budget of £25,000, guiding the allocation of Youth Opportunity and Youth Capital Funds worth £400,000, and influencing over £490 million of Council investment in services for children and young people.
On crime and fear of crime, the Young Mayor has strengthened relations between young people and the police. On building a sustainable Newham, the Young Mayor has led the campaign to raise awareness of recycling and energy efficiency. On increasing opportunities for young people, the Young Mayor and Youth Council have engaged local young people in shaping Newham’s Olympic legacy.
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