Eligibility Criteria and Term Limits

Eligibility Criteria

We want to involve as many young people from Newham as possible. There are a strong range of opportunities available; these include taking part as a nominee, a candidate, an agent or as part of a campaign team.

It is important for any democratic process to ensure that everyone involved as a nominee or candidate has a defined minimum level of support from their constituency, supportive people around them and that they fully comprehend the undertaking that they are making as a candidate.

Because of this the eligibility criteria are not negotiable - nominees must fulfil all of them in order to become a candidate for Young Mayor of Newham. For example; if they do not attend a training day, they will not be able to go forward as a candidate in this election.

To be eligible as a candidate for Young Mayor of Newham you must:

• Be aged 14 to 18 on the final day of polling; Wednesday 2 November 2011
• Attend all the Nominees' and Candidates' training days; Saturday 1 October, Saturday 8 October, and Saturday 15 October
• Complete the online nomination form, in addition you must print and complete part two of the nomination form available online and return by hand to the Young Mayor Election Team at the first training session taking place on 1st October.

If you fail to complete and submit this form at the first training session you will unfortunately be unable to progress further in the election.

Term Limits

It is important that every young person who lives in Newham has the opportunity to potentially be the Young Mayor.

After each Young Mayor has completed their term in office we encourage and support them to move into other roles which include; mentoring schemes, young advisor roles to support future Young Mayors, youth leadership programmes and opportunities to remain involved and updated on developments with the Newham-launched Young Mayor Network; for Young Mayors across the UK.

All of the young people serving terms on the Youth Council are democratically elected - and all terms are for a single year. Youth Councillors may be re-elected for further single year terms up to the maximum detailed below

• 1 year term limit on Young Mayor
• 2 year term limit on nominees to the Youth Council (e.g. from schools, college, area organisations, special interest groups)
• No term limits on Youth Councillors elected via borough-wide contest