Youngsters involved in Teignmouth’s new Youth Council were ‘absolutely enthused’ after participating in the scheme’s inaugural meeting earlier this month.

The Youth Council consists of twelve youngsters aged between 10 and 15. Eight were appointed by local schools and four others applied independently.

The initiative, which Teignmouth mayor councillor Cate Williams described as a project very close to her heart, is aimed at empowering young voices by providing a platform where they can express views and contribute to local decision-making.

‘We met in the Mayor’s Parlour last week and they were absolutely enthused,’ Cate told councillors at a Full Town Council meeting on Tuesday (October 13). There were ‘lots of ideas’, she added.

The next Youth Council meeting will take place at the beginning of November and the young councillors have been tasked with democratically selecting a chair, vice-chair and secretary, reflecting the same processes used by Teignmouth Town Council.

‘I feel that as a council we are getting the voice of the youth from the youth themselves,’ Cllr Williams said. ‘We are actually listening to them.’

Deputy Mayor Cllr Lily Chasteau had also been involved in the project and said: ‘It was really nice, they were really nice kids, I’m really hopeful. They asked lots of really interesting questions.’

Councillor Penny Lloyd asked if she could observe the next Youth Council meeting but was advised that in the early stages the number of adults taking part would be capped with a view to boosting the youngsters’ confidence.

The Youth Council will attend the next Teignmouth Town Council meeting on Tuesday November 14 so town councillors can meet them and find out more about the purpose of the Youth Council and plans going forward.