Carlisle teenagers get a voice

By Pamela McGowan

Last updated 05:13, Friday, 24 October 2008

A GROUP of young people have been elected to speak up for fellow teenagers and get the matters that affect them on the political agenda.

The Carlisle Joint Schools Council – the first of its kind in Cumbria – was launched this week following last year’s successful trial.

Representatives from seven schools met at the Civic Centre for the first summit, in which a new committee was elected. They will now get to work on promoting the matters that affect young people – with teen health a top priority.

Ben Crystal, 16, of Trinity School stood as vice chairman last year and now takes over as 2008/09 council chairman.

He said he was looking forward to building on the success of last year’s trial and focusing on issues that really matter to young people.

In the past 12 months, the council has held talks with Stagecoach about improving transport links for young people and Carlisle Leisure Limited about starting dedicated activities for teenagers.

Seven Carlisle schools are involved – Caldew, Richard Rose Central, Richard Rose Morton, Newman, Trinity, William Howard and James Rennie. It is hoped its success will inspire others to join or launch similar schemes in other parts of the county.

The committee elected was:chairman – Ben Crystal, 16, Trinity School (year 12); vice chair – Andy Glendinning, 14, Trinity (year 9); secretary – Rosie Mills, 16, Trinity (year 12); communications officer – Chris Humpleby, 17, Richard Rose Central (year 12); joint treasurer – Simon Little, 13, Richard Rose Morton (year 8) and Andrew Slater, 17, William Howard (year 12); press officer – Paul Martindale, 17, William Howard (year 12).

The elections were officiated by the Mayor of Carlisle Jacqui Geddes and the Young Mayor of Carlisle Georgina Powley, of Brook Street Primary School.