Ceredigion County Council website

Bronwen Tuson, a Year 12 pupil at Ysgol Penglais, was successfully appointed as Ceredigion Youth Council Chair who will lead the Youth Council in 2024-25. Lleucu Nest, a pupil at Ysgol Gyfun Penweddig was elected as Ceredigion’s UK Youth Parliament Member for 2024-25 and will represent Ceredigion at the UKYP. Kiani Francis, a pupil at Ysgol Penglais and member of Ceredigion Youth Council was elected Wales Member of Youth Parliament for Ceredigion and will represent the County in the Welsh Youth Parliament during 2024-26.

Bronwen takes over from last year’s Youth Council Chair, Rosa Waby from Ysgol Gyfun Penweddig, whilst coming to the end of their term as Ceredigion’s MYP for 2023-24 is Aeron Dafydd, Ysgol Bro Teifi. Ending his term as Member of Youth Parliament in the Wales Youth Parliament is Lloyd Warburton, with Kiani Francis taking over in 2025.

Bronwen, Lleucu and Kiani have already started work in their new roles, and will undertake various activities both locally and nationally during the year. Both members recently took part in a Q+A session with MS Elin Jones, Llywydd of Senedd Cymru in Cardiff and will shortly meet with Ben Lake MP; Councillor Bryan Davies, Leader of Ceredigion County Council; Councillor Wyn Thomas, Cabinet Member for Schools, Lifelong Learning and Skills; and Elen James, Chief Education Officer for Ceredigion County Council to discuss current issues and priorities. 

Gwion Bowen, Senior Children and Young People’s Participation Officer, said: “I would like to congratulate Bronwen, Lleucu and Kiani on their recent appointments as part of the Ceredigion Youth Council programme, and the Senedd Cymru Youth Parliament programme. There are exciting opportunities ahead this year, and we look forward to working with both members who are already making a positive contribution to democratic processes when it comes to young people in Ceredigion. We wish them the best of luck for the forthcoming year. I would also like to extend our gratitude to Rosa and Aeron who have both worked tirelessly to campaign and champion the voices of Ceredigion’s young people during their time in office last year. They have made a lasting impact and we wish them well for the future, and thank them for all their hard work.”

Bronwen Tuson, newly elected Ceredigion Youth Council Chair, said: “I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity to represent the voice of Ceredigion’s young people as Chairperson of Ceredigion Youth Council in 2024-25. I am enthusiastic about identifying and trying to tackle issues facing young people, and I am eager to work with my fellow Youth Council members to improve our local area, not only for young people but for everyone. I am particularly excited to work on the 'Rhoi dy Farn' ballot and the 'Pawb ai Farn' to work towards securing a bright future for Ceredigion and to ensure that young people have a chance to express their views and become more politically engaged.”

Aeron Dafydd, former Ceredigion UK MYP, said: “It has been a privilege to represent the young people of Ceredigion as their UK MYP for 2023-24. My role, along with Rosa, has largely involved championing issues which are important to young people at a local and national level, with key policy makers and those in responsible for key decisions. It’s vitally important that young people are given a platform to raise their voice and opportunities to take part in the political process, and this was a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the work of MPs and UK government.”

Kiani Francis, Ceredigion's new Member of Youth Parliament in the Wales Youth Parliament said: "I am very proud to have been chosen to represent Ceredigion as the Wales Member of Youth Parliament for Ceredigion recently. I am looking forward to working and campaigning for what is important to our young people and ensuring that our voices are included in the work of the Welsh Youth Parliament. There is an exciting time ahead and an opportunity to positively influence the lives of young people and our communities locally."

Welcoming the new members, Councillor Wyn Thomas, Ceredigion Cabinet Member for Schools, Lifelong Learning and Skills, said: “Congratulations to the newly elected members. I would like to wish them well for the coming year and I look forward to working together and hearing their voices about issues that are important to the young people of the county.”