Joseph's role in youth parliament

He is also chairman of Bexhill Youth Council and finds the two roles dovetail well..

Joseph, 16, is a former student of Bexhill High and is currently studying modern history, politics, economics and law at Bexhill College. He has his sights set on taking a politics and economics degree "and I would like to do it at Oxford."

He says: "A lot has happened as I assumed it would. I have served the last years as Deputy MYP so I know how the system works.

"I am pleased about the amount of things that have started to bubble early in my term.

"There has only been a month so far and already transport issues are moving forward. We are putting in our own proposals to East Sussex County Council about what we would like to see done about a cycle route in the town.

"The Youth Council is preparing a website.

"We as a Youth Council are opposed to the post-16 education review. The proposals put forward do not, in our view, tie in with what the Government says post-16 education should be doing."

Already, the MYP has had a meeting to discuss transport issues with Cllr Ian Jenkins who holds the youth portfolio on Rother cabinet.

The youth council in Lewes negotiated a 20p fare reduction for young people with local bus operators. This was short-lived but Joseph believes there is scope for local negotiation.

He is also meeting with Hastings and Rye MP Michael Foster to discuss youth issues.

Together with the Youth Council he is working on ways of raising the public profile of young people in the town and of getting the voice of youth heard.