Thousands of young people make their mark in North Lincolnshire

Make Your Mark is the British Youth Council’s annual youth ballot where young people across the county have their say on issues that matter to them.

Young people are encouraged to vote after which the results are collated and the top five issues are debated in the House of Commons by members of the UK Youth Parliament.

The outcomes help to shape the British Youth Council’s national campaign as well as influencing local actions and priorities.

In 2014, 875,000 young people across the country cast their vote in Make Your Mark. Locally, 3,340 young people voted which was 21.17 per cent of the eligible voting turnout.

This year, the national target was set at one million votes and the British Youth Council set each area a target of 21 per cent of the eligible voting turnout; this meant 2,808 votes were needed in North Lincolnshire. As a result of the success in 2014, a local target for 2015 was set at 3,500 votes. This was greatly exceeded with 5,902 votes being cast; 44 per cent of the eligible turnout.

Councillor David Rose, cabinet member for Children’s Services, said: “Here in North Lincolnshire we believe it is essential that young people have their say and make a difference to things that matter most to them. The Great Debate is a brilliant opportunity for them to do just that. Every year North Lincolnshire Youth Council takes part in the Great Debate and encourages other young people to get involved to ensure they have their say. It is wonderful to see young people with such a great passion to really make a difference.”

The national top five issues from Make Your Mark 2015 are:

Living wage

A curriculum to prepare us for life

Mental health

Transport

Tackling racism and religious discrimination

The top five local issues are:

Living wage

A curriculum to prepare us for life

Mental health

Transport

Votes at 16

The outcomes of Make Your Mark 2015 and other topical issues in North Lincolnshire will be discussed at the Youth Great Debates that are taking place on 25 November for colleges and secondary schools, and 27 November for primary schools. This will help shape the local response to Make Your Mark.

The national Youth Great Debate in the House of Commons will take place on 13 November, which North Lincolnshire’s Member of Youth Parliament (MYP), William McCullion will be attending. All the MYPs will debate the national top five topical issues and vote for the top two that will become the national campaign for the year ahead.

Preparation for Make Your Mark in North Lincolnshire has been led by young people, supported by schools, other services and the council.

Make Your Mark 2015 started on 12 August and finished on 9 October.

For more details on the North Lincolnshire Youth Council, visit Youth council