The St. Ann Parish Council on Friday November 21, 2014 conducted an introduction and swearing in ceremony for the 2014/2015 Youth Mayor and Deputy Youth Mayor of St. Ann’s Bay and a new slate of Youth Councillors.
The Youth Councillors were treated to a public introduction ceremony on the steps of the Courthouse in the Parish Capital where they were escorted by the sitting Councillors for the various divisions in the Parish, after which they presented on issues/problems in their divisions at their sitting of Council in the Parish Council Chambers. Elected Youth Mayor for St. Ann’s Bay for the year 2014/2015 went to Miss Asha Kay Thompson a student at the Brown’s Town Community College who represents the Dry Harbour Division. Elected Deputy Youth Mayor of St. Ann’s Bay for the year 2014/2015 went to Miss Daniela Gordon a student at the Brown’s Town Community College who represents the Brown’s Town Division.
The Youth Councillor Program is conducted/executed on a yearly basis through the St. Ann Parish Council during November (celebrated as Local Government Month) to highlight the roles and functions of the Local Authority in the Parish and to give youths a first-hand experience with Local Governance. The Youth Councillors will work assiduously in their respective divisions shadowing their sitting Councillors to address the issues and concerns of the residents. Each Youth Councillor will receive an allocation of $20,000.00 each to work on a project in their division and the Youth Mayor will get an allocation of $100, 000.00 to work on his/her project. Youth Councillors are expected to submit a detailed proposal of the project they wish to embark on with an estimate and benefits to the division to be included. They will also have slated activities to participate in such as Civic Functions held by the Council, Town Hall Meetings, Community visits and Public Consultations among other duties.
