THE first Youth Mayor and Deputy have been elected in the Vale of Glamorgan.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Youth Service has announced Stanwell School, Penarth pupil Tom Chandler, 17, as Youth Mayor for the Vale with 15-year-old St Richard Gwyn High School, Barry pupil Emily Peters, 15, taking on the role of Deputy Mayor.

There were almost 3000 votes cast by young people aged 11 to 25 from schools, training providers, and youth clubs across the Vale during Local Democracy Week.

Deputy Leader of the Council Stuart Egan, made the official announcement on and presented certificates and badges of office to both elected candidates.

Councillor Egan said: “I was very proud to be able to announce the new Youth Mayor and Deputy Mayor. The Youth Cabinet has been a hugely successful scheme helping to give a voice to young people across the Vale, and this takes that work a step further.

“I’d like to congratulate both Tom and Emily, and thank everyone involved, including the thousands of young people who took the time to listen to the manifestos and cast their vote.”

The Youth Mayor will continue to work with the rest of the Youth Cabinet to ensure that young people in the Vale have a say on matters that affect them and further strengthen the communication links between young people and decision makers at the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

Newly elected Youth Mayor, Tom Chandler, said: “I am very grateful for this opportunity. I’m looking forward to taking young people’s issues forward and making sure our voices are heard in the Vale of Glamorgan.”