Reading Youth Cabinet 2014 Election Results

The annual Reading Youth Cabinet elections were held in mid-December in Reading schools and youth venues, with the ballot count held in the Reading Civic Centre Council Chamber on December 17th.

A total of 4,712 young people across town took the opportunity to vote, which was over 800 more than last year. A record number of 25 candidates stood in the election, representing 13 different schools and split into the North, East, South and West areas of Reading.

The 14 young people – aged 11 to 17 – who scored the highest number of votes for their area were successfully elected on to the cabinet for the next two years. These are Bradley, Bryony, Caleb, Charlie, David, Faith, Gabrielle, Georgina, Jana, Jaydee, Jenna, Katie, Tomisha and Tyler. They join six existing members going into their second year; Ellie, Aisha, Shivani, Sukanya, Beth and Aishwarya, and so making up a very varied, representative and dynamic group of young people.

This year’s successful candidates campaigned on a variety of issues including: better sports facilities; improved support for parents who are mentally ill or misuse alcohol; anti-bullying in schools; more volunteering opportunities for young people; and improving community cohesion between adults and young people, as well as a common theme of a stronger voice for young people.