Youthful look to new council

INSTEAD of the men in grey suits, the Wexford County Council Chamber had an unusually youthful look Monday last when 24 second-level students came together for the inaugural meeting of the Wexford County Junior Council.

Presentation secondary school student Karen Roche was elected as chairperson while Daniel McCarthy from St Peter’s College was elected vice-chairperson.

‘I’m thrilled and honoured to be elected as chairperson of the first Wexford Junior Council and I look forward very much to working with my fellow junior councillors,’ said Karen.

Cllr Paddy Kavanagh welcomed the students to the chamber and congratulated them on their selection to represent their school on the junior council, describing it as a much-needed and valuable link between the youth of the county and the county council.

Tom Enright, Wexford County Council Chief Executive, urged the young students to embrace the opportunity to make their views and ideas known. He assured them that as representatives of the younger generation, their vision for the development of County Wexford was an important and legitimate factor in the development of council policy.

‘County Wexford is at a highly exciting time in its economic and social development,’ he said.

Cllr Tony Dempsey, who came up with the junior council idea, said the main purpose and work programme of the junior council will see the students analyse a range of council services and projects from the perspective of the young people.

Cllr Paddy Kavanagh, Tom Enright and Cllr Tony Dempsey with pupils from the Presentation, Loreto, CBS, St Peter’s College, Selskar College, and Bridgetown College.