Caerphilly councillor Mike Prew has been re-elected as the area’s youth champion for a record third time.
Mike, who represents the Morgan Jones ward for Plaid Cymru, said that he was delighted to have been chosen to represent the views of young people throughout the county borough for a third year.
He was originally voted in as youth champion in 2008 as part of a special competition called ‘I’m a Councillor – Get me out of here!
Mike, married to Lucy and with a son, Thomas, 8, said: “It is vital that young people take an active part in local democracy and have a say on issues that will affect their future and I’m delighted to continuing as a voice for young people.”
Working with young people and the council, the youth champion’s aim is to ensure that young people’s views are considered in council decision-making and that full consideration is given to the impact of council activities and decision making on young people.
He said: “I have had a fabulous last year as youth champion, travelling the whole of the borough and meeting some interesting people, both young and old. I’ve promoted my role as youth champion in a very active and constructed approach and built up the increasing profile of the position, working with a superb team of young people and youth workers. I am honoured to work alongside and front an excellent youth service which is the envy of other local authorities.”
Among the activities Mike was involved in over the last year were:
- A trip to the Millennium Stadium.
- The showing of a DVD at full council with young people addressing all 73 councillors and a meeting with the Mayor afterwards.
- Caerphilly Question Time event.
- Ten invites for the young people to the Freedom of the borough event at which Joe Calzaghi received the honour.
- The Apprentice event at the Big Cheese and the car wash at the council’s offices where to date we have made around £200 towards our chosen charity Help For Heroes and we still have one more task to go.
- Booked and got funding for presentation and Christmas dinner at Caerphilly Castle.
Mike also praised the work of the Youth Forum, which has been existence for 10 years. It gives young people aged 11-25 the chance to have their voices heard.
Its shortlist of priorities for 2010-11 are:
- Challenging peer pressure – being able to say NO to drugs and alcohol (Health issue)
- Combating the amount of litter in schools and local communities (Environmental issue)
- Changing the way young people are taught – varied teaching styles and making lessons more practical (Education issue)
- Schools sharing budgets for better educational opportunities (Regeneration issue)
