A YOUTH Council could play an active role in running the town, even to the extent of organising local events, such as the Christmas Lights switch-on.

That is the vision presented by town mayor, Cllr Bob Barnes, who has been in discussions with students at the John Masefield High School.

He said: "There is interest there, and I would also like to involve the younger people of this town, in the operation of this town.

"There is a Youth Council already in Pershore, and they organise Pershore's Christmas Lights."

He added: "Students at the John Masefield High School are not very involved with the business of this town and are not being heard. A Youth Council is a way forward."

But other town councillors have pointed to past failures, to express doubts.

Cllr Tony Bradford said: "We did have a Youth Council some years ago, and it just disappeared. So, is this the same criteria?"

Cllr Barnes, in a reply at a meeting last week, said he hoped that would not be the case this time round.

The last Youth Council ended with the shake-up of Herefordshire Youth Services.

But veteran councillor, Clive Jupp, had praise for the Youth Council that eventually folded.

He said: "I can remember a Youth Council back in 1999, and it worked then, because the young people wanted it to work."

Cllr Terry Widdows, a Herefordshire councillor for Ledbury, and a town councillor, said a new Youth Council could be offered the chance of directing its own finances for town projects.

He said: "We could ask the members of the Youth Council what they want to spend the Youth Budget on."

He told the mayor: "I am fully in support of the idea for a Youth Council, and the Herefordshire Association of Local Councils is trying to find us a starter pack, to help get it set up."

Cllr Jayne Roberts said any new Youth Council should not just involve John Masefield High School students.

She said: "A lot of children from this town go to other schools."

Cllr Barnes said: "The meetings with John Masefield High School students are the first steps down a long and winding road. I think we also have to involve Ledbury Primary School."

Cllr Richard Hadley said: "We need some more exploration about the age ranges we might be looking at.

"For example, are we thinking about involving young people who attend college?"

Cllr Barnes said he would not like to set the age range for involvement but he added: "When they become 18, they become adults.

"However, their contribution will be welcomed."

Cllr Keith Francis suggested looking at a Youth Council agreement Ledbury Town Council had with Ledbury Youth First in 2002, "to see how that format was set up".

Town councillors voted in principle to support the formation of the Youth Council, with further discussions planned after Christmas.