The ballot boxes are going out and the election manifestos are being polished. It is election time in Bexley, but you have to be 19 or under to vote. LINDA PIPER finds out why.

FOR Bexley’s young people, its youth council has become a powerful voice in the borough’s corridors of power. Aimed at young people aged between 13 and 19, it controls a grant budget of £250,000 a year and has the ability to influence Bexley Council’s policies and services for young people.

With a membership of 55, elections for the youth council are held every year and every secondary school, college and youth group in the borough is invited to take part.

The elections are about to get underway for this year’s youth council and the invitation has already gone out to everyone to consider standing for a place on the council.

The youth council is split into sub-groups so everyone can find something to interest them.

Currently, the sub-groups are events and entertainment, crime and justice, public relations, publicity and Youth Opportunity Funding.

Council members bring issues and matters of concern raised at their school or youth group, or from individuals, for discussion.

Often, these will be taken up by the appropriate sub-group which organises research on the issue and then raises it with the appropriate body.

This can be Bexley Council, borough MPs, the borough’s London Assembly member, Bexley’s police chief or London Mayor Boris Johnson.

The youth council is also responsible for overseeing and distributing the £250,000 Youth Opportunities Fund, government cash for projects which will improve the community for young people.

Youth council members use a Dragon’s Den-style process to get details of the projects and choose which will get the cash.

The sub-groups meet regularly and the full council meets once a month.

Youth council members have regular meetings with Bexley councillors and with the director of children and young people’s services, Dr Deborah Absalom.

If there is a matter of particular concern, the it can also request a meeting with councillors.

The youth council gets involved in a variety of issues.

Recently it has been surveying young people about how police stop and search powers are affecting them, and if they know their rights when they are stopped by police.

In recent months members of the youth council have toured the Houses of Parliament, had a meeting with London’s Mayor and been filmed by a Japanese television crew.

Youth council member Vanessa Jensen, 16, from Cleeve Park School, Sidcup, said: “The youth council gives us a voice to say how we really feel, rather than getting spoken for, or labelled.”

Deputy leader of Bexley Council and cabinet member for schools and youth services Councillor Simon Windle said: “The youth council is very important.

“The views of the young people involved are respected and we listen to them.”

He added: “They have organised some fantastic events this year and I am looking forward to what the new representatives bring to the team.”

Ballot boxes will go out to schools next week, and voting runs from February 22 to February 28.

Anyone who would like to stand for a place on the council can call Amanda Smith on 020 8836 8133 or email Amanda.Smith@bexley.gov.uk

If you have an issue you would like the youth council to take up, go to its website at bexleyyouthcouncil.co.uk and go to the “contact us” section.