Youth Council
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Youth Council
The West Northamptonshire Youth Council is made up of young people aged 11 to 18 from across the area, they share the views of young people and work with the council and other organisations on issues that matter to them.
Youth Councillors are elected for a 2 year term. The current term runs from 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2028.
The Youth Council ensures that young people have a voice in decisions that affect them and provides opportunities for young people to influence local policy, services and community initiatives.
Get involved
Young people can get involved in the Youth Council through their school, visiting our youth club page, or by contacting the Youth Council team directly.
For more information or to express an interest in joining, please contact by emailing us at [email protected]
What the Youth Council works on
Youth Councillor's represent young people’s views on issues that matter to them.
These include:
- mental health and wellbeing
- safety, including knife crime and online harm
- equal opportunities and access to education
- having a say in local services and decisions
- safe and affordable travel
- employment and work experience
- access to youth clubs and activities in the evenings and at weekends
How the Youth Council works
Youth Councillor's meet monthly to discuss issues affecting young people and to plan campaigns and projects.
They:
- gather input through surveys and school or youth group outreach
- co-design solutions with professionals
- monitor impact and advocate for youth-led priorities
Meetings provide an informal, respectful space for discussion where young people can share ideas, develop confidence and build leadership skills.
This approach ensures young people’s involvement is not symbolic but drives real change.
You said, we did
| What young people said | What we did |
|---|---|
| We want elections and true representation | Held first democratic elections in nearly 20 years |
| We want to shape decisions, not just be heard | Youth Council consulted monthly by council teams and partners |
| Safety is a priority | Launched knife crime awareness campaign with NSVPP |
| We want honest conversations with adults | Introduced "Cake and Debate" sessions with Councillor's, staff, and community figures |
| Recognition matters | Youth Awards in development to celebrate achievements |
Members of Youth Parliament
Our Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) take part in the UK Youth Parliament programme.
This includes attending the annual House of Commons Sitting, where they debate national issues with young people from across the country.
This involvement gives young people in West Northamptonshire a national platform and a voice on important topics such as education, health and safety.
We work with North Northamptonshire Council to ensure young people are represented in a co-ordinated way at both county and national level.
Last updated 30 January 2026