Newcastle City Council has awarded a contract to the regional Children's Charity, Children North East, to establish an independent Youth Council for the City.

The forthcoming Newcastle Youth Council Elections will take place over ten days from 7 June to 17 June 2010 and Children North East are currently seeking candidates to stand in the election.

Candidates must be aged 13 to 18 inclusive and either live, work or study in the Newcastle local authority area. Most candidates will stand for election in the area in which they live (central - postcodes NE1, NE2, NE4; north - postcodes NE3, NE13; west - postcodes NE5, NE15 east - postcodes NE6, NE7). Candidates who don't live in Newcastle will be eligible to stand in the area in which they work or study.

Please find attached a nomination form which potential candidates can return either by post (cost of which will be reimbursed) or online by sending to newcastle.youthcouncil@children-ne.org.uk. Nominations close at noon on Friday 14 May. Also attached as part of the candidate briefing pack, are three consent forms which young people will need to have completed in order to take part in Youth Council activities. Candidates will be able to draw up their manifestos at special candidate briefing sessions which will be held on Saturday 8 May and 15 May. Candidates will only have to attend one of these sessions.

If you have any queries or would like to know more about the elections, please contact Gerard Hunwick. A website containing more information about the 2010 elections will go live on Wednesday 21 May and can be accessed at: www.youthelection2010.children-ne.org.uk