Hastings youth councillors given voting rights on committees

In a controversial move, unelected Hastings youth councillors have been given voting rights on committees and could get paid too after the Mayor pushed the proposal over the line. The group of 17 youths has been participating as non voting member of sub-committees but asked to be more involved.15 to 21 year olds who live, work or go to school in the district can apply for the youth roles. Half the Hastings Distrist Councillors who voted opposed the idea; among the objections a claim its a breach of democracy. However, Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst's vote in support was the tie-breaker, she spoke to Lisa Owen.