Youth councillors are elected every two years in February. Anyone aged 13 or over can stand for election in their school or college. All young people aged 11 to 19 can vote in the election, get involved in campaigns, or attend drop-in sessions.

Current youth councillors

Barnsley Youth Council currently has the following youth councillors:

• Kian Yates – Young Mayor
• Florence Asquith – Deputy Young Mayor
• Harley Bond – Chair
• Deacan White – Vice Chair, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
• Kaitlyn Walker – Member of Youth Parliament, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
• Thomas Beech – Member of Youth Parliament
• Millie Saunders – Secretary
• Abbie Thomas – South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
• Drew Leonard – Youth Board Representative
• Hayden Prescott – Regional Transport Group Representative
• Patrycja Mrozek – RYCA
• Senuli Perera – REMY
• Lucas Cusworth – Yorkshire SEND Alliance Representative
• Cassidy Martin – SEND Representative
• Mia Green – SEND Representative
• Ankai Chen
• Darcie Tetley
• Emily Haupt
• Elliot Barnett
• Evelyn Tomlinson
• Gabriel Kakonge
• Georgia Maote
• Harley Ellis
• Jack Wright
• Jay Roughly
• Olivia Pekinoglo
• Ruby Bland
• Ruby Mae Waller
• Sherona Harper
• Thomas Marsden
• Tilly Ray
• Will Smith

Barnsley's young mayor

The role of our young mayor is to represent the youth council and promote their work.

On 11 June 2024 Kian Yates was sworn in as Barnsley’s young mayor.

Since Kian's appointment, he's received several invites to events including:

• presenting an award at the Primary Enterprising Challenge event
• celebrating armed forces week at the town hall
• the opening of the South Area Family Hub in Wombwell alongside the mayor and mayoress
• welcoming the Voices of Singapore Children’s Choir to the town as they performed for the mayor and mayoress in the council chambers