Balham Teens Given Chance to Have Their Say in Lambeth Youth Elections

Young people from Balham who live, study or work in the borough of Lambeth are being urged to make their voices heard and stand at the 2012 Youth Elections.

Elections are to be held for the borough's new Youth Mayor, Deputy Youth Mayor and Youth Parliament member and candidates need to register by Friday 27 January 2012.

The elections are a chance for the youth of Lambeth to vote for local representatives to fight for their causes. Each year the youth mayor is given a budget of £25,000 to spend on projects that help improve the lives of young people in the borough. The current Mayor is David Oyedele.

The 16-year-old-year who lives in Brixton and studies at St Frances Xavier College said:

"I've had an amazing time, learned a lot, and helped some great projects take off. I wanted to be mayor so I could make a difference and improve opportunities for young people and I've achieved that. Young people want to be involved in local democracy and the Youth Mayor and Youth Parliament is perfect for giving them that chance to be involved - whether as a candidate or by casting their votes in the election."

Lambeth's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Peter Robbins, added:

"Young people in Lambeth have been voting for a Youth Mayor to represent them since 2007 and the elections are going from strength to strength. Last year there were more than 10,000 votes cast at polling stations in schools and youth clubs, which goes to show how popular the scheme is. Anyone who thinks they have something to offer Lambeth's young people should stand in the upcoming elections."

All 11 to 19-year-olds who live, work or study in Lambeth are entitled to vote in the elections, with the ballots taking place in March 2012. Eighteen schools and colleges as well as five youth centres in the borough will host youth elections voting days.

Young people who do not go to school in the borough but live in Lambeth will still be able to vote in the elections by registering online.

Application forms to stand in the youth elections are available by phoning or texting 07852 722973 or via www.younglambeth.org/elections.

For more information contact Dianne Jones on 020 7926 2169 or email dajones@lambeth.gov.uk.