Shepway Winners of Kent Youth County Council Elections

Over 27,000 young people turned out to vote in this year's Kent Youth County Council elections. There were 145 polling stations at schools and youth centres and the elected members have now been chosen for each district.

The elected members from Shepway were:

Rachel Fountain, 17, at The Folkestone School for Girls

Danielle Grant, 17, at South Kent College, Folkestone

Tessa Head, 16, at Sussex Coast College, Hastings

Nick Prentice, 15, at Rye College

There were also more than 18,000 votes cast to choose the issues that are most important to young people in Kent, to help decide the campaigns which the youth county council will focus their efforts on over the coming two years. These include calling for cheaper and more frequent transport, having things to do, help with finding work and feeling safe.

Over 100 young people from Kent ran in the elections, setting out how they would like to improve the lives of others in the county. Each year, members are voted into the youth organisation, with four chosen from each of the 12 local districts and borough councils within Kent. The districts can be joined where there are less candidates running in a particular area.

Any young person aged 11-18 can vote and run in the election which this year, took place between 13-21 November.

Kent Youth County Council (KYCC) members have the opportunity to work among officers and members of KCC and represent young people from the county. Once elected, they can also be voted into the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP), a national organisation. They also host an annual Question Time event where young people put questions forward to members of Kent County Council.

Folkestone West County Councillor Tim Prater said:

"Congratulations to Rachel, Danielle, Tessa and Nick - and commiserations to those who were not elected this time. I hope the Shepway team enjoy their time on the Youth County Council, and ensure the County Council itself focuses on issues important to young people here in Shepway."

This will be the tenth year in which countywide elections are held. Last year, there were 168 polling stations, and 27,473 people voted. There are also seats given to various specific groups e.g. young carers, disabled young people etc. For more information about the Kent Youth County Council go to www.kent.gov.uk/kycc