Youth Mayor and Youth Deputy Mayor

Rhondda Cynon Taf welcomes its Youth Mayor, Jenna Claridge, and Deputy Youth Mayor, Sam Akintioye, for the municipal year 2012/13.

Youth Mayor Informal Youth Dep Mayor Informal

Youth Mayor, Jenna Claridge Deputy Youth Mayor, Sam Akintioye

These positions were created in May 2011 as part of the Council’s work to engage with young people and involve them in the democratic process. This work is led by the Council’s Services for Young People Department, whose remit is precisely as set out in its title.

Jenna and Sam were formally appointed as Youth Mayor and Deputy Youth Mayor at the Council’s AGM on 23 May 2012 at the same time as Mayor Cllr Doug Williams and Deputy Mayor Cllr Ann Crimmings.

The Youth Mayor and Deputy Youth Mayor shadow the current Mayor and Deputy, attending youth oriented events, charity fundraisers and openings of events. They keep their peers informed about what they have been doing and provide feedback, giving young people generally wider benefit and greater awareness of the workings of the Council.

Mayor and Youth Mayor The Youth Mayor will be expected to give an annual presentation to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and may attend Cabinet and the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee when relevant items may be discussed.

Jenna served as the first ever Youth Deputy Mayor in 2011/12, an experience which will stand her in good stead for the coming year.

Left - Youth Mayor Jenna with Mayor Cllr Doug Williams.

Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council has a strong track record in ensuring the voices of young people are taken into account as part of the broader decision making processes of the Council. The Youth Mayor and Deputy Youth Mayor arrangements embed this approach within the Council’s decision making and democratic framework.