Huntingdon Town Council set up the Youth Town Council at the beginning of 1997 so that young people could voice their opinions on issues affecting the town and be involved in "making a difference".

The Youth Town Council is awarded an annual grant by the Town Council and manages its own finances according to a budget prepared by Youth Councillors themselves. The Youth Council makes awards to young people's organisations in the town as well as organising its own projects and activities.

Hinchingbrooke and St Peter's Schools arrange the selection of Youth Councillors between the ages of 13 and 17, living in the Huntingdon area. Nominations for ages 18 and 19 are sought from the wider community.

The Youth Town Council meets every month, usually at the Town Hall, on Wednesdays at 4.30pm.  Two Youth Town Councillors are co-opted Members of the Leisure and Community Services Committee meetings and are encouraged to address the Council. One Youth Councillor is a Member of the Council's Newsletter Sub Committee, which produces our Community Magazine, About Town.

The Town Council supports the Youth Council with administration and Members of the Town Council provide guidance on matters where necessary.

Issues in which the Youth Town Councillors have been/are involved include:-

• organisation of successful events such as the Town Park Summer Fete; Youth Film Festival and
  Battle of the Bands.
• production of a Youth Map
• improvements to Huntingdon's environment
• involvement in the Twinning Association's Sports Festivals - two Youth Councillors visited Salon de Provence in September 1998
• provision of benches for elderly residents
• organisation of an extremely successful Talent Contest
• participation in Civic functions
• attendance at National Youth Council Conferences
• donations to projects which benefit young people locally
• Charity Events in aid of Children in Need and Sports Relief.
• contribution to St John's School Breakfast Club and Thongsley Fields School Uniform fund
• Consultations on planning matters such as development of the Riverside Park
• organising a Christmas market stall during Huntingdon's Switch-On 2009
• involvement in the Heritage Festival held over the weekend 25/27th June 2010.