Thousands of pupils from across Northumberland went to the polls to select their new Youth Cabinet and Youth Parliament members.    
 

Over 6,000 11–18-year-olds from middle, high and secondary schools voted in the annual Youth Elections on Wednesday 15 February, casting their votes for a record number of candidates.  

Key issues on the agenda included mental health, the climate emergency, equality and jobs for the future. 
 

Votes were counted and the results declared at County Hall, Morpeth by the council’s Chief Executive and Returning Officer, Dr Helen Paterson
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Successful candidates in the Northumberland Youth Cabinet election were Billie Brodie, Ashington Academy; Bailey Cowell, Ashington Acadamy; Gracie Dalgarno-Todd, Astley Community High School; James Hickie, Ponteland High School; and Krzysztof Rymarczyk, Corbridge Middle School. 
 

Also elected to represent Northumberland in the UK Youth Parliament are James Hickie, Ponteland Community High School and Emily Trebillcock, Newminster Middle School. 
 

Cllr Glen Sanderson, Leader of Northumberland County Council, said: “I'd like to thank all the young people who have taken part in these elections, it’s a fantastic thing to do.  
 

“Standing for election and having people put a cross against your name, being trusted to be their voice, and deliver for them is a great honour and I hope the successful candidates enjoy this opportunity to help shape the future of their county.   
 

“It’s very important to us as a council that the voices of all our young people are heard. I’m looking forward to working with them and hope that they will share in some of the decisions that we make, as we all have a shared goal of improving the lives of young people in Northumberland now and into the future. 
 

“For those of you were not successful this time – I hope you are proud of what you have achieved as you’ve done brilliantly to get this far, and I hope that I see you back again at the next election.” 
 

All youth representatives will begin training to understand the roles they play and how they can help shape local decisions. Their official two-year terms begin in March. 
 

Members will represent the young people of Northumberland through a variety of events and meetings including the annual sitting - a gathering of Youth Parliament members from around the country.  
 

They will also sit on the joint Youth and County Council Cabinet Meeting where their input is valued on key projects for the county. 
 

Dr Helen Paterson, the council’s Chief Executive and Returning Officer, said: “Having only joined Northumberland Council last Wednesday, this is first election here that I am involved with, and I am absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to read out the results for both the Youth Parliament and the Youth Cabinet.  
 

“I am really encouraged that so many of our schools and so many of our young people are taking an active part in youth participation in local and national government.  
 

“Standing for election at any level takes great courage.  Well done to all those that have taken part and even if you may have not got the result you wanted here today, I hope that the experience was positive and that all involved will continue to engage in future elections. 
 

“I’d also like to thank all the young people, parents, carers, schools, volunteers and council teams who have made today a huge success.” 
 

Watch the declaration here.