Bridgend Youth Council has elected a new Youth Mayor and Deputy Youth Mayor.
Following an online election, Xander Payne from Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School was voted in as youth mayor and the new deputy youth mayor is G Williams from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Bryntirion Ward.
Xander, who is also looking to stand as a Welsh Youth Parliament representative, said: “I am honoured to be the newest Youth Mayor for Bridgend.
“I am so excited to work alongside the new Deputy Youth Mayor G Williams to bring the issues we believe in to the forefront. I cannot wait to get started.”
He says his three priorities are a focus on democracy and UK Politics in secondary schools, the prevention of bullying and youth offending through education, and youth mental health – particularly the benefits of exercise on mental health.
New Deputy Youth Mayor, G Williams, won the 2021 Diana Award for his transgender awareness training, and says his three priorities are youth equality and accessibility, improving access and support around youth mental health, and an education for life.
G said: “I am so thrilled and excited to have been elected as Deputy Youth Mayor of Bridgend Youth Council. I hope to be able to really put my passion into working alongside Xander, as his deputy, to tackle issues that matter to the youth and the youth council.”
Designed to give young people in Bridgend county borough a voice and help them to have their say on local issues, the youth council is a separate organisation to Bridgend County Borough Council. Set up and run by local young people with support from the local authority, it features a Mayor, Cabinet members and a number of Youth Councillors.
Many congratulations to both our new Youth Mayor and Deputy Youth Mayor.
We welcome them into their new roles and bid farewell to former Youth Mayor Megan Stone and Deputy Youth Mayor Tino Kaseke, thanking them both for their contribution over the last year.
It’s fantastic to see young people taking an active interest in local democracy and contributing to their local communities in this way.
Bridgend County Borough Council Mayor John Spanswick
