Youth Mayor

Youth Mayor for 2023/24

Ella Lacey is the twelfth Stevenage Youth Mayor. Ella is currently a student at Marriotts School in Stevenage. Ella enjoys sports and plays rugby at a county level believing in the basis of teamwork and preparation. Ella loves meeting new people and trying new things.

During her term, Ella wants to focus on the promotion of equality focusing on the welfare of others and normalising individuality. Ella would also like to look into the availability of out-of-school activities, including outdoor engagements for children of all ages and how we can help raise this growing shortage. She would like to be a part of many projects across our community, and she looks forward to advocating for young people throughout her term.

Deputy Youth Mayor

Anisa Mathew is the first Deputy Youth Mayor of Stevenage. Anisa is a student at St John Henry Newman School in Stevenage. As well as supporting Ella during her year, Anisa wants to focus on safety, ensuring all young people feel safe where they live and go to school. Furthermore, Anisa believes Stevenage offers a wide range of opportunities for young people and wants to help promote these to young people.

Ella and Anisa will formally represent the young people of the town in the role of ambassador and will work with Stevenage Youth Council to help promote the interests of younger members of the community, regardless of ability, gender, religion, sexuality, ethnicity, and class.

What does the Youth Mayor do?

The first Youth Mayor of Stevenage was elected by Stevenage Youth Council and was inaugurated at Annual Council on 23 May 2012.

The Youth Mayor attends council meetings and civic events, and accompanies the Mayor/Deputy Mayor at some youth-orientated engagements. The Youth Mayor also holds a non-voting seat at Stevenage Borough Council meetings.

The Youth Mayor directs the expenditure of a Local Youth Budget of £2,000 to support a youth related community project, organisation, charity or local group with a recognised legal status or an unincorporated association with its own bank account. If the organisation does not have a bank account, the application will not be considered.

Who can become the Youth Mayor for Stevenage?

Any young person who lives in Stevenage aged 11 to 19 years, or up to 25 if they have a learning difficulty or disability, can nominate themselves as a Youth Mayor candidate. The Youth Mayor is elected by young people from across the Borough and they will take up the role for one year.

For information on the role of Stevenage Youth Mayor, Stevenage Youth Council or the Local Youth Budget, please call Community Development on 01438 242446 or email, Youth.Mayor@stevenage.gov.uk.