Young people to have power over Croydon Council funds (From Your Local Guardian)

Young people to have power over Croydon Council funds

6:00am Monday 22nd March 2010 in

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Young people are set to have real power over political decisions in Croydon for the first time.

Volunteers giving two hours a week to a youth council project will have the chance to create eight campaigns and decide how cash should be allocated to them.

A total of 150 young people are being recruited to the new organisation, which Croydon Council hopes will raise the profile of issues which matter to teenagers and influence local decision makers.

Councillor Tim Pollard, the council’s cabinet member for children, young people and learners, said: “A youth council that has real powers, that will meet and be heard by people like me, can only be a good thing for the people that join it - and for Croydon.

“I and my colleagues at the council are very much looking forward to meeting them.”

Youths involved in the scheme will also receive accreditation, sustenance and travel expenses and a high-level reference for school, college, university and employment.

Anyone interested in applying can download an application form from croydon.gov.uk/democracy/croydonyc/croydonyouthcouncil before March 29.