Youth Council, Mayor and Cabinet
What is the Youth Council?
The Youth Council is a group of young people from across the borough who work together to represent the views of their peers, influence local decision-making, and improve services for young people. It includes:
- for Youth Mayor and cabinet member roles
- from other youth forums such as care leavers, young carers, and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
- who choose to join the Youth Council without standing for election
Want to join the Youth Council?
Young people aged 11 to 19 (or up to 25 with SEND) who live, study, or work in the borough can join the Youth Council, either by standing for election or registering their interest.<
What does the Youth Council do?
The Youth Council works to ensure that young people's voices are heard by decision-makers in the council. Their work includes:
- meeting regularly at Kensington Town Hall to discuss key issues affecting young people
- advising service managers and policymakers on strategies and plans for youth services
- allocating funding through the Youth Participation Fund, working alongside Youth Fund assessors to support youth-led projects
How are the Youth Mayor and cabinet members chosen?
The Youth Mayor and cabinet members are elected through an annual democratic election in partnership with schools, colleges, and council services:
- the candidate with the most votes becomes the Youth Mayor
- the runner-up becomes the Deputy Youth Mayor
- the candidates with the highest votes in each area of focus become youth cabinet members
All candidates, regardless of the election outcome, automatically become members of the Youth Council.
Youth Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea
The Youth Mayor is the official representative of young people in the borough, ensuring their voices are heard by local decision-makers.
The Youth Mayor:
- acts as a spokesperson for young people in the borough
- works closely with the Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea, lead members, and council decision-makers
- helps manage the £40,000 Youth Participation Fund in partnership with the Youth Council and youth fund assessors
- supports and promote youth-led initiatives across the borough
Youth cabinet members
The Youth Cabinet is made up of elected young people who lead on specific areas of youth policy and support projects that benefit young people in the borough.
Each cabinet member has a designated area of focus:
Cabinet Member for Budget and Finance
- Oversee the £40,000 Youth Participation Fund.
- Contribute to council budget planning and monitoring.
Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing
- Reduce the stigma around mental health.
- Improve access to mental health and wellbeing support for young people.
- Organise workshops on coping strategies and mental health awareness.
Cabinet Member for Education
- Promote financial literacy, career pathways, and work experience opportunities.
- Launch life skills programs covering self-care, cooking, and self-management.
Cabinet Member for Environment and Air Quality
- Support local recycling and composting initiatives.
- Contribute to transport and climate strategies to promote sustainability.
Cabinet Member for Communities and Services for Young People
- Promote youth-led social action and community involvement.
- Ensure the voices of under-represented and seldom-heard groups are amplified.
Cabinet Member for Community Safety
- Promote community safety initiatives led by young people.
- Advocate for safer spaces and clear information on safety for young people.
Cabinet members also gather feedback from their peers through surveys, workshops, and events to ensure the council makes decisions that reflect young people's needs.
Want to join the Youth Council?
You can join the Youth Council in two ways:
- Turn up to one of our Monday meetings at Kensington Town Hall, from 5 to 7pm at the Freeman Suite.
- Email us to register your interest: [email protected]