Ross youth activist urges teens to stand for election
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A ROSS-SHIRE youth activist is urging fellow teenagers to seek election following a trailblazing revamp of community councils.
The grassroots bodies are a sounding board for local views on a host of issues affecting the lives of the public.
For the first time in the Highlands, 16 and 17 year olds will be able to seek election to their local community council.
It’s one of the major changes of a new scheme for the establishment of community councils agreed by Highland Council earlier this year.
Another first is that community council elections will take place across the Highlands on the same day – Wednesday, November 16 – in instances where the number of candidates exceeds the number of places available.
Paige Shepherd, a Fortrose Academy pupil who lives in Cromarty, is a Highland Youth Voice executive member who believes the shake-up could provide a golden opportunity for young people.
She said, "Sixteen and seventeen-year-olds being able to stand for community councils is a huge milestone for young people. Having their say about what goes on in their communities and the opportunity to vote is fantastic. This should encourage more young people to be involved in community councils and make a change in their communities for the better."
To be eligible to stand, young people need to complete a voter registration form and submit it to the Electoral Registration Officer before August 31.
Voter registration forms and copies of the scheme for the establishment of community councils can be downloaded from the home page of the Highland Council website www.highland.gov.uk or picked up from any service point.
Convener Sandy Park said, "Community Councils will benefit hugely from the involvement of young people. The Highland Youth Voice, the youth parliament for the Highlands, has shown the very valuable contribution young people can make to the policy-making and decision-taking process.
"I would encourage young people with an interest in serving their local community council to complete a voter registration form by August 31 to ensure their eligibility."
