Larry Williams Drive

Hastings District Council has voted in favour of allowing non-elected members of its Youth Council to vote in council decisions. Youth Council members will be able to vote in council committees and sub-committees - and they'll also be paid. The Council was divided on this move - but mayor Sandra Hazlehurst had the deciding vote and the issue was passed. Youth Council chair Chris Proctor says this is a first in the nation's history. "We want to bring a voice to the Council's table and we want to make sure that in areas like Flaxmere, where 50 percent of the population is under the age of 25 - we feel that's important." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.