ILLUSTRIOUS political careers began to take shape when the Haydon Wick Youth Council met to propose, discuss and pass motions on a range of exciting subjects.

The teens and pre-teens put their political mettle to the test by debating the merits of a proposed twinning scheme, the delivery of Christmas parcels for the elderly and the best ways to raise funds for their chosen charity.

The meeting was chaired by 10-year-old Brad-Lee Seagrove, who easily gave Commons speaker John Bercow a lesson in conducting a civil and orderly discussion.

The main item on the agenda was the youth councillors’ chosen charity Do it for Dan, which was founded by the parents of 11-year-old Daniel Climance who died in 2015 after colliding with a road sweeper while cycling.

As youth councillor Euan Schuab, nine, explained: “Do it for Dan is a charity for a little boy called Daniel who died last year. We chose it because he was one of us and it’s a really good way to remember him.”

Ideas were tossed around about the different things the councillors could do to raise funds for the charity.

Milo Smith, 11, said: “I was thinking about holding a cake sale because we did one at my school and raised a lot of money.

“I know people always like it when someone is selling cakes and everyone loves cake.”

A fun run got a unanimous nod of approval.

The main source of interest however came from the suggestion that the councillors would sell specially-made Do it for Dan wristbands emblazoned in the Haydon Wick colours and featuring the words ‘The Haydon Wick Youth Council is doing it for Dan’.

Sample wristbands were passed around so the councillors could get some idea of what the finished product would look like.

Brad-Lee said: “This is a really good idea. We can all sell them in our schools and raise lots of money.”

The youth council is overseen by Haydon Wick Parish Councillor Clare Armagan, who has used her expertise as a youth worker to set up the council.

She said: “The first thing I wanted to do when I became a councillor in May 2015 was to set up a youth council.

“I think it’s a brilliant way to get young people involved with the community and interested in politics.

“It’s good for the young people to have an appetite to try something different and put themselves forward for things that require a bit of responsibility.”

Coun Dave Smith agreed, saying: “It’s brilliant for the children because it gives them an interest. I’m pleased so many of them have shown such a willingness to engage.

“Clare has done a wonderful job. I don’t think we would have been able to do this without her.”

Brad-Lee said: “I really enjoyed chairing the meeting today.”

“I thought everyone was very well behaved, though I’m trying to get them to be even better behaved.

“I’m very proud to be supporting Do it for Dan because it’s a very worthwhile charity.”

The youth council is open to all nine to 14-year-olds who live or attend a school in the parish.

For information on how to join, call the council office on 01793 722446.