York Liberal Democrats

26-year-old proposed as York's youngest ever Executive Member

At 26, Heslington councillor Ceredig Jamieson-Ball would be York's youngest ever Executive Member

Ceredig Jamieson-Ball has been officially named as the Liberal Democrat nominee for the new position of Executive Member for Social Inclusion and Young People. If the nomination is confirmed at Annual Council on 25 May, Cllr Jamieson-Ball will become York's youngest-ever Executive Member at the age of 26.

The new Executive position demonstrates the Liberal Democrats' sustained focus on providing excellent services for young people across the City. The cross-cutting nature of the role is a radical shift from the previous 'departmentalised' approach to Executive Portfolios. Cllr Jamieson-Ball will be involved in a wide range of policy areas.

Included in the portfolio is the responsibility to tackle issues of social exclusion and Cllr Jamieson-Ball will be in charge of ensuring that those who often find it most difficult to access Council services are helped.

Cllr Jamieson-Ball said "I am very proud to have been nominated. This role is a new way of working for the City of York Council, as my responsibilities will require that I work across all departments. In some way, every section of the Council can contribute towards social inclusion and also help to ensure that young people receive a better service."

Cllr Jamieson-Ball outlined five key pledges that he will focus on over the next year:

· Building upon the hugely successful Schools Out programme and the offering provided by the Youth Service's Urbie Bus and the Street Sport Unit, and increasing both events and attendances;

· Raising awareness across the City of all provision of activities for young people, both from the council and other providers, to counter the 'nothing to do' culture;

· The creation of York's first 'One-Stop-Shop' for Young People - an exciting new venture between the Council and outside partners CAMHS (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service) and Connexions;

· Improving the provision of cheaper local travel for Young People up to the age of 18;

· Developing the role and work of the new, forward-looking Social Inclusion Working Group to focus on enabling all sectors of society to access council services.

"These are busy times for Young People's services in York, and it is imperative to build upon the success that has been achieved over the past few years. The new One-Stop-Shop will, for the first time, bring support services for Young People under one roof in the city centre. I am excited about overseeing its introduction, as this change responds directly to the wishes of young people themselves..

I am keen to respond to the wishes of Young People, as expressed in the Young People in York Scrutiny Report of November 2004, to have cheaper access to public transport. I will be working with the Executive Member for City Strategy, Cllr Ann Reid, to extend provision for the 16-18 age group.

Tackling the 'noting to do- nowhere to go' culture is a priority. Since 2003 the additional cash invested by the Lib Dems in the Schools Out Programme has more than doubled the number of participants to over 37,000. I will build on this, and work to ensure that more young people know about what is going on, and hope to raise attendances still further.. For example, I hope to increase usage of the mobile skate park which is particularly welcomed in rural areas where young people find it harder to access city centre facilities.

The Liberal Democrats have ensured that young people have a greater say than ever before. As well as the investment in activities for young people, we have already established a Young People's Champion and set up the Young Persons Advisory Panel to ensure that York's young people can have their say. It is my aim to ensure that the Council takes provision of youth services and access to council services to the very centre of all policy making decisions."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Cllr Ceredig Jamieson-Ball has represented Heslington Ward since 2003 and, at 26, will become York's youngest ever Executive Member. He previously chaired the Young People in York Scrutiny Panel which reported to the Executive in November 2004. Since May 2005 Cllr Jamieson-Ball has been Chair of the Housing EMAP & Scrutiny Board, a role he now relinquishes. As Executive Member for Social Inclusion & Young People, Cllr Jamieson-Ball will have direct responsibility for the Council's Youth Service., He will also sit on the Children's Services EMAP and chair both the new Social Inclusion Working Group and the Young People's Working Group.