Neath Port Talbot Council has inaugurated Bethan Nicholas-Thomas as the new Youth Mayor at a ceremony held online on February 3.

Bethan is a member of the British Youth Council and the Youth Climate Ambassadors Group which campaigns to make changes for a healthier planet.

In her acceptance speech, the former Cwmtawe Community School pupil, said: “I pledge to make effective, efficient changes to tackle the climate crisis that affects our local area because our time is running out. I intend to focus more specifically on the young people most affected by climate change in Neath Port Talbot.

“I promise to represent the young people of Neath Port Talbot and enhance their voices so that our ideas, opinions, praises and concerns are validated and listened to.  I will work with the Youth Council and prove that what we can achieve is limitless as long as we strive to better Neath Port Talbot for everyone.”

The new Deputy Youth Mayor, Maddie Pritchard, was also inaugurated at the ceremony. Maddie, a year 11 pupil at Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera Bro Dur, spoke about her passion for the Welsh language and pledged to support Welsh Government’s aim to reach 1 million Welsh speakers by 2050.

The positions of Youth Mayor and Deputy Youth Mayor are elected annually by Neath Port Talbot’s Youth Council to ensure young people are given a voice and have a say on local issues that matter to them.

Councillor John Warman, the Mayor of Neath Port Talbot who spoke at the ceremony, said:

“It continues to be so important that we hear the views, ideas and voices of all children and young people across the work of the Council.  Neath Port Talbot strives to be a place where the voices of young people are listened to and at the forefront of our work.

“I am sure that our incoming Youth Mayor will continue with this good work and I look forward to Bethan attending future events where possible.”

The annual ceremony took place on Thursday 3rd February and was attended by senior council officers and key community leaders which included Councillor Ted Latham (Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council), Karen Jones (Chief Executive of Neath Port Talbot Council) Sally Holland (The Children’s Commissioner for Wales), Louise Fleet (Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan), Joanna Jenkins (High Sheriff of West Glamorgan), and David Rees MS (Member of the Senedd for Aberavon).