Lib Dems pioneer new Youth Council initiative

9.57.48am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 11th Feb 2008

The polls are now open for Camden young people in the borough's first-ever Youth Council. The new initiative from the Lib Dem led administration has seen dozens of young people put themselves forward as candidates to represent five areas of the borough.

Voting, which is open to all Camden residents aged 13-19, or up to 25 if they have a disability, will continue until Thursday 14 February.

The new Youth Council, which will be announced later in February, will meet six times a year. It will have young cabinet members responsible for crime prevention, environment and transport, health and safety, education and skills, youth services, fundraising and publicity.

All the issues raised will be taken to regular joint meetings with Camden's councillors.

The Youth Council will also link with the five youth area forums which have recently been established.

Cllr John Bryant, the Lib Dem Executive Member for Children, said: "It's brilliant to see so many young people standing in these elections. Through the Youth Council the borough's young people will be genuinely involved in local democracy and the decision making process."

Voting in the Youth Council elections will take place online and by text messaging - making it easy for as many young people to take part as possible.