Our AGM (Annual General Meeting) took place in County Hall on Thursday, 10th of April. Young people from across Carmarthenshire attended and we had the opportunity to share our achievements from the past year with County Council Elected Members, Managers, and Heads of service within the Education and children’s services department.
At the meeting we welcomed Director of Education and Children, Owian Lloyd to officially open the meeting. We are so grateful as it is his first Youth Council AGM since his appointment as Director in October 2024.
Chaired by our outgoing Chairperson Magda Smith the AGM gives an opportunity for Youth Council Members to present reports and speeches on the achievements and work of the Youth Council over the year and to set priorities for the coming year. Speaking at the AGM Magda, 18 from Pentregwenlais said “Looking back, I feel incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together. Serving as Chairperson of Carmarthenshire Youth Council has been a privilege. It’s opened doors I never imagined, from representing young voices in decision-making spaces to building lasting friendships. I’ve grown not only as a leader but also as a person. Most importantly, I hope I’ve made a difference by helping young people feel heard, empowered, and inspired to create change. While this chapter is ending, the impact and the memories will stay with me for a lifetime. I know the future of CYC is safe in the hands of the up-and-coming young people”
The past twelve months have been busy, with members working on officially launching our domestic abuse project called Never Silence the Violence and Our Voice Project where we worked with Secondary Schools to explore Real Life Lessons.
We have also been very fortunate to have Evie represent us, Carmarthenshire and Wales in the House of Commons as part of the UK Youth Parliament.
Following the AGM we are pleased to announce the exciting news that Carmarthenshire Youth Council’s Executive Board for 2025 are:
★ Toby Bithray – Chairperson
★ Ben Bantock – Vice Chairperson
★ Evie Somers – Secretary
★ Samuel Kwan – Treasurer
★ Zach Davis – Communications Officer
Toby, following receiving the position of Chairperson said “In my role as Vice Chairperson over the last twelve months, I have been proud to assist the Chairperson in meetings and leading the young people. Now I feel ready and excited to become Chairperson of the Youth Council myself. I hope to continue amplifying the voices of young people in CYC, and bring a further sense of community within the Youth Council.”
Cllr. Aled Vaughan Owen addressed the meeting to give an update on the collaboration work between Carmarthenshire County Councils Executive Board and Youth Council, a project developed to encourage young people to influence the priority areas of Carmarthenshire County Council.
We also welcomed Kelly Tomlinson, Head of Operations at Foothold Cymru who presented the members with Volunteens certificates for their contribution to Carmarthenshire Youth Council. You can read more by clicking here on what Youth Council members said about signing up to the Volunteens project.
We were joined by Gill Adams, Principal Youth Support Services Manager who presented members who successfully completed an Introduction to Safeguarding Training delivered by Carmarthenshire Youth Support Service Staff during our Annual Summer Camp last year.
The AGM also allowed us to express our appreciation and to celebrate the hard work, dedication and valuable contribution of former Youth Council members who have recently left. Former members who were in attendance were presented by with a certificate and Award of Recognition by the Director of Education and Children, Owain Lloyd.
Our 2025 AGM was officially closed by County Councillor Carys Davies, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Community Cohesion and Planning Policy who addressed the chambers with a positive message about the importance of continuing to be the voice of young poeple and to champion young peoples issues locally and nationally in the Senedd and Houses Of Parliament.
If you would like more information or are interested in being a part of the CYC then please reach out and get in touch with us by email on info@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or send a message on any of our Social Media platforms Facebook, Instagram or X (formerly Twitter)
