Young people urged to make their vote count

10 January 2008

The deadline is fast approaching for young people to get their nominations in for this year’s Derbyshire Youth Council elections – known as The Big Vote.

Anyone from Derbyshire aged 11 to 17 can stand for election to the forum which is made up of 16 young people from across the county.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 23 January, and forms are available online so it couldn’t be easier to get involved.

Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural services, said: “The Big Vote is a brilliant opportunity for young people to get their voices heard on issues that matter to them.

“We had a tremendous response last time and I hope young people will stand up and be counted again.”

To take part visit the b_line website (opens in a new window) and register, Call Derbyshire on 08 456 058 058 for a nomination form or complete the one that was included in the last b_line magazine.

The youth council - formerly known as the youth forum - was set up by Derbyshire County Council in 2000 to give young people living in Derbyshire a greater voice in the democratic process. Derby City has its own separate youth forum.

Elections are held every two years with the last one in 2006 attracted more than 20,000 votes.

Councillor Janes added: “Nominations are already coming in but we’d like to see more.

“All you have to do to qualify is be aged 11 to 17, live in Derbyshire and have an interest in getting things done and taking part in the democratic process.”

Voting takes place between Friday 29 February and Wednesday 2 April with young people able to vote via the internet, mobile phone text messaging or by paper voting forms. Anyone aged 11 to 19 can vote.

Each district elects two representatives to the Derbyshire Youth Forum which feeds its views in to the county council.

Last year members of the forum undertook a number of activities, including:

  • Meeting leading Derbyshire county councillors on a variety of issues.

  • Launching the This is Me campaign to help promote positive images of young people.

  • Finding out more about what decision-makers do by working alongside a variety of professional people as part of a national 11 Million Takeover Day.

  • Attending a School Councils Conference at County Hall, Matlock.

Find out more about the Big Vote (opens in a new window) online or call 01629 580000 ext 6560.

(Ref: FW.08.08)

The deadline is fast approaching for young people to get their nominations in for this year’s Derbyshire Youth Council elections – known as The Big Vote.

Anyone from Derbyshire aged 11 to 17 can stand for election to the forum which is made up of 16 young people from across the county.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 23 January, and forms are available online so it couldn’t be easier to get involved.

Councillor Bob Janes, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for cultural services, said: “The Big Vote is a brilliant opportunity for young people to get their voices heard on issues that matter to them.

“We had a tremendous response last time and I hope young people will stand up and be counted again.”

To take part visit the b_line website (opens in a new window) and register, Call Derbyshire on 08 456 058 058 for a nomination form or complete the one that was included in the last b_line magazine.

The youth council - formerly known as the youth forum - was set up by Derbyshire County Council in 2000 to give young people living in Derbyshire a greater voice in the democratic process. Derby City has its own separate youth forum.

Elections are held every two years with the last one in 2006 attracted more than 20,000 votes.

Councillor Janes added: “Nominations are already coming in but we’d like to see more.

“All you have to do to qualify is be aged 11 to 17, live in Derbyshire and have an interest in getting things done and taking part in the democratic process.”

Voting takes place between Friday 29 February and Wednesday 2 April with young people able to vote via the internet, mobile phone text messaging or by paper voting forms. Anyone aged 11 to 19 can vote.

Each district elects two representatives to the Derbyshire Youth Forum which feeds its views in to the county council.

Last year members of the forum undertook a number of activities, including:

  • Meeting leading Derbyshire county councillors on a variety of issues.

  • Launching the This is Me campaign to help promote positive images of young people.

  • Finding out more about what decision-makers do by working alongside a variety of professional people as part of a national 11 Million Takeover Day.

  • Attending a School Councils Conference at County Hall, Matlock.

Find out more about the Big Vote (opens in a new window) online or call 01629 580000 ext 6560.

(Ref: FW.08.08)

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