More than 3,000 young people voted in this year's West Northamptonshire Youth Council elections. It is the first elected youth council in the county since 2006.
Overview
More than 3,000 young people voted in the second West Northamptonshire Youth Council elections. The area had no elected youth council or Members of Youth Parliament from 2006 until 2024. On Tuesday, the council’s Cabinet backed yearly elections and a new Youth Bank that will give young people a say in how youth project money is spent.
More than 3,000 young people voted in this year’s West Northamptonshire Youth Council elections, a report to the council’s Cabinet shows. It is two years since elected youth representation came back to the area. Northamptonshire had not had an elected youth council or Members of Youth Parliament since 2006. (West Northamptonshire Youth Council two-year impact report, Cabinet, 10 November 2026)
Cabinet noted the report on Tuesday 10 November. It also backed the priorities for next year, including yearly elections. (Cabinet decisions, 10 November 2026)
The youth council in numbers
Elections are open to young people aged 11 to 18 across West Northamptonshire. The report lists:
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Young people who stood for election | More than 100 |
| Young people who voted in year two | More than 3,000 |
| Schools taking part | More than 20 |
| Elected youth councillors | 20 |
| Members of Youth Parliament | 3, plus 3 deputies |
| Young Mayors | 4, plus 4 deputies |
The report says the Young Mayor elections are “still in the process”.
What the young councillors have done
The youth council meets every month with council officers, councillors and partner organisations. The topics it has raised include community safety, mental health, transport, jobs and skills, and planning.
The report credits it with three changes:
- Its views fed into the council’s Youth Offer Strategy, which sets out future services for young people.
- The council’s communications team changed how it designs online content after the youth council’s feedback.
- Community safety worries raised by members have gone to the area’s Community Safety Partnerships, the police and councillors.
Members also asked for one place to find what is on offer for young people across the area. The report says that has been recognised as a priority, not that it has been built.
Other firsts from the two years:
- Youth Awards: the first in more than 20 years, held on 10 March, recognising nine young people.
- Cake and Debate: an event where more than 80 young people discussed local issues.
- A podcast: the West Northants Youth Podcast, made by members.
- Westminster: a Member of Youth Parliament from West Northamptonshire spoke in the House of Commons.
What comes next
Councillor Michael Stratton, the Cabinet member for children, families and education, said young people had “shown real commitment and leadership in representing their peers”. (West Northamptonshire Council, 12 November 2026)
The next step is a Youth Bank and Young Inspectors programme. It is funded by the Northamptonshire Serious Violence Prevention Partnership.
- Youth Bank: young people will help decide how funding is spent on projects for children and young people across Northamptonshire.
- Young Inspectors: young people will visit the projects that get money and report on how well they are working.
The youth council will also sit on the board that oversees the Youth Offer Strategy.
Who pays for it
The council’s covering report says the youth council runs on grant funding and partnership arrangements. That money covers transport, refreshments, residential trips, uniforms, badges, events and staff support. The report does not ask for a budget of its own. (Cabinet report, 10 November 2026)
It names the main risk plainly: without continued support, “participation could reduce” and the progress made may not last. Any future funding would have to go through the council’s normal budget process.
What it means for you
- If you are 11 to 18: elections are held every year, through schools and youth groups. Ask your school whether it takes part.
- If you are a parent: the youth council covers transport costs so that members can take part wherever they live.
- Youth groups: the Youth Bank will open a new way to bid for youth project money in Northamptonshire. No date or amount has been published yet.
The programme is run by the council with Clubs for Young People Northamptonshire.
Have your say