A Pudsey Southroyd Primary School pupil is one of the 12 candidates in the running to become the new Leeds Children’s Mayor – but needs your votes to win.
Pudsey girl Lauren aims to create a city-wide uniform exchange programme to help with the cost of living crisis.
She is one of 12 finalists in the running from across the city to become Children’s Mayor.
Children and young people up to 18 years old who live and/or go to school in Leeds have until 5pm on 26 September 2022 to cast their vote. Each young person can vote for their two favourite manifestos.
The Children’s Mayor Programme helps children in the city develop a greater understanding of democracy and the importance of voting, as well as encouraging them to think about the role they could play in improving their city or communities.
Each year, pupils from year 5 are asked to write a short manifesto including an idea for how they would make Leeds an even better city for young people. Primary schools can submit one candidate each, who are then shortlisted down to a final 12 by a panel of young people.
Zulaykha Hussain, from Bardsey Primary, is the 2021/22 Leeds Children’s Mayor and is nearing the end of her term. She recently held a ‘Togetherness Event’ at her school as part of her impressive winning manifesto that emphasised the impact that COVID-19 had on children, young people and their families.
Councillor Fiona Venner (Lab, Kirkstall), executive member for children and families, said: “It is so important to give children and young people in our city a voice and an opportunity to share their amazing ideas. We have an ambition to make Leeds a more child friendly city and this is a great way to help young people be an active part of this change.
“The manifestos this year are really inspiring and reflect the compassionate and thoughtful community of children we have here in Leeds. Best of luck to all finalists and I look forward to meeting the new Children’s Mayor.”
The newly elected Children’s Mayor will be announced by the Lord Mayor of Leeds at a civic reception event on Thursday, 6 October 2022.
Voters can visit the pop-up voting stations at Leeds City Museum and Leeds Central Library or vote online here.
