Zeeshan Mitha is appointed Youth Mayor of
Southend!
with Martin Skam appointed to Deputy
Youth Mayor.
Zeeshan (middle) with Martin (Left)
and Councillor David Coleman (right)
After weeks of anticipation and a hard-fought campaign the
delighted election winners were announced at Wednesday night's
Youth Council meeting in the Civic Centre.
They were ceremonially presented with their chains of office by
the Worshipful the Mayor of Southend, Councillor David Norman.
Among their new duties they will now be invited to represent
Southend Youth Council at various prestigious events.
Zeeshan, 16, said: "I was very delighted and shocked to be
elected, but I am really looking forward to my year of office.
His deputy, Martin, 17, added: "It's definitely going to be a
really exciting year and I hope we can make some good changes"
They both paid tribute to their supporters, and to the other
candidates who had stood in the election.
Among the issues they aim to campaign on during 2012 are better
careers advice, better access to information about apprenticeship
schemes and a discount scheme in restaurants for young people.
Zeeshan and Martin were elected by 13 to 19-year-olds from
throughout the borough and will take over from retiring Youth Mayor
Jake Inwood and his Deputy, Brontea Boulton.
Among the successes of their year in office Jake and Brontea
launched a campaign aimed at giving all Southend schoolchildren
access to CitizenCards.
These are free personal identification and proof of age cards
which double up as discount cards for many major national and some
local retailers.
Executive Councillor for Children and Learning, Councillor Mark
Flewitt, said: "We are very proud of our Southend young people and
our Youth Council is flourishing.
"We wish our new Youth Mayor and Deputy every success as they
forge ahead in their new roles."
You can see all the candidates efforts
here:
on YouTube: SoSYouthCouncil
channel
and their manifestos
here
Don't forget to follow us on Twitter at #SoSYouthCouncil