The UK Youth Parliament elections in North East Lincolnshire will take place in schools and academies across the area between February 25 and March 8.
The UK Youth Parliament is an organisation that enables young people to use their energy and passion to change the world for the better.
It is run by young people, for young people, with more than 600 elected members and deputy members, who work together to bring about positive change nationally as well as in their local communities. Once elected, Youth Parliament members and their deputies organise events and projects, run campaigns, and influence policy-makers on issues that matter most to young people. They attend regular regional groups and meet together once a year at the UKYP annual sitting.
The local elections will give young people a similar experience to voting in the local elections. Each young person will receive a polling card and we be able to vote in polling stations at schools and academies and the Grimsby Town Hall .
Cllr Ian Lindley, portfolio holder for people and communities said: " These youth parliament elections will give young people the opportunity to engage with local democracy from an early age and to select the team they want to represent their views locally, regionally and nationally. The last elections were held in May 2011 when our current serving member Jordan Hagerup was nominated. The teams up for election this year are currently campaigning for votes across the area and we wish them all well. Results of the vote will be announced 15th March and Jordan will be handing over the reigns in April".
Introducing your dream teams for the UK Youth Parliament elections: Maria Rosa Worrall and James Wells
"We want to keep the sporting facilities and improve them as well as creating more opportunities for young people We promise to listen to your ideas and the things you would like if we are elected. We want to be your ears, your eyes and your voice because we can make a change!"
Macaulay Wright and Jawaid Hassani
"We are planning to improve facilities across the area because we both feel youths of today don't have many opportunities. We are striving to change all of this by building a good reputation for youths; not just in Lincolnshire but all over the UK. "
Eve Vickers and Hannah Moreland
"If you vote for us we will add more youth clubs, protect animals from violence, fill in all pot holes, build a children and teenagers bar, more bike parks, scooter parks, light down alleyways, put on events to raise money for charity, more animal shelters and lots more."
Vicky Wood and Ellie-Mae Horton
"We believe that we can change people's perspectives about young people, and make decisions to make this a better community. Our commitment to the youth parliament team would be extraordinary because we are full of enthusiasm and ideas."
William Barnes and Melissa Foyle
"Bringing opportunities to people is what we strive to do and if successful we will ensure this happens. We will listen to the voices of every youth, listening to the minority as well as the majority. We will put our efforts towards improving the living for youths in our area and we think we can do it."
Shaun Balderson and Samuel Irving
"As members of the youth parliament team we know that we will provide interesting ideas that represent the views of the young people of North East Lincolnshire. We both feel it is crucial that the young people of our area are given a strong voice, through which we all can feel included in society's decisions."
Polling Timetable
Week One
Monday, February 25, Grimsby Town Hall 5.30-7.30pm
Tuesday, February 26, Oasis Academy Immingham 12.30-2.30pm
Wednesday, February 27, Oasis Academy Wintringham 2-3.45pm
Thursday, February 28, Cambridge Park Academy 12.30-3.30pm
Friday, March 1, Toll Bar Academy 11.30-2.15pm
Week Two
Monday, March 4, Humberston Academy 12.30-2.30pm
Tuesday, March 5, Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Ed. 12.30-2.30pm; Grimsby Town Hall 5.30-7.30pm
Wednesday, March 6, Franklin College 12.30-2.30pm
Friday, March 8, Havelock Academy 12-2.30pm