EVER felt like the youth of Billericay are being neglected?
Now is your chance to rectify that by getting involved with the Billericay Youth Town Council (BYTC).
The youth council election is coming up next month and youngsters are being encouraged to get involved in local politics.
Six youth councillors have vacated their positions to go to university, meaning the BYTC currently only has eight councillors.
There will be 20 seats up for grabs in the election.
For incumbent chairman Tayler Cronly-Dillon, the youth council offers a great opportunity to get involved with the local community.
"I just love helping out in Billericay, doing all the events," said the 17-year-old Mayflower High School student.
"The great part is you get to interact with lots of people on so many different levels."
While serving with the BYTC, Miss Cronly-Dillon has helped out on numerous fundraising activities with her peers and also helped to organise the Billericay Urban Games, which were held in Lake Meadows in July.
Next year, the youth council has plans to stage a music festival in Lake Meadows for the town's youngsters.
October's election will see Billericay's three senior schools – Mayflower High School, The Billericay School and St John's – stage votes.
Pupils will vote for their nominated colleagues with a specified number from each school being elected on to the youth council.
James Turner, son of borough councillor Phil Turner, joined the BYTC two years ago.
"I joined because I wanted to make Billericay better," he said.
"It's such a brilliant opportunity for you to learn new skills and you work with people of different ages on the youth council, whereas at school you're with people of the same age."
Youth councillors can be aged between 11 and 17 years and meetings take place on the second Tuesday of every month.
Their senior colleagues on the full town council attend their meetings to offer guidance.
Councillor Daphne Spencer said: "We need to recruit more people and we're doing our utmost to get the word about.
"The youth councillors can benefit from quite a few things if they are interested in the town they live in.
"They have organised a number of events over the last few years. It's down to whether the youngsters want to get involved in town life.
The Billericay Youth Town Council election takes place on October 18.
For more information call the town clerk on 01277 625732.
