CEREDIGION Youth Council is to take over the council chambers for a day to discuss issues which affect young people.

Confirmed panel members include Ben Lake MP; Sally Holland, Children and Young People’s Commissioner for Wales; Dafydd Llywelyn, Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner; and Catrin Miles, Cabinet member with responsibility for learning services and lifelong learning.

The questions, presented to the panel by Ceredigion Youth Council members, will correspond with the Make Your Mark ballot which takes place later this year and is part of the UK Youth Parliament.

Gwion Bowen, children and young people’s participation officer for Ceredigion Youth Service, said: “It’s vitally important that young people are given a platform to have their voices heard and the opportunity to discuss issues and topics which affect them, with those who are the decision makers.

“Ceredigion Youth Service is very excited to support the youth council to host the first event of this kind in Ceredigion and we look forward to welcoming the panel to the chamber in Aberaeron.”­

Beca Williams, chair of Ceredigion Youth Council, said: “Ceredigion Youth Council are proud to take this opportunity to voice our opinions and concerns regarding our local and national communities.

“We have decided to invite a panel of professionals which represent and influence aspects of young people’s lives and our communities. We look forward to hosting the event and we are confident that it will be a big success with the hope of creating a future that is inclusive, supportive and inspires growth and prosperity.”

Hosting the event on 13 July will be Wil Rees, former Ceredigion Member of Youth Parliament, with Beca Williams and Heledd Evans, vice-chair of Ceredigion Youth Council opening and closing the event.

Representatives from each secondary school in Ceredigion in addition to colleges and organisations will be present in the audience.

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