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Asked to conjure up an image of what a town councillor looks like and you might plump for a fuddy duddy oldie.

The role is stereotypically seen as one attracting retired people with ample time to sit on stuffy committees.

But one town council is tearing up those labels - having five councillors under the age of 35, one of the youngest councillors in Wales and now, Charlotte Ford, a newly-elected deputy mayor in her twenties.

Charlotte, 25, who is studying for a PhD while working part-time in Tesco's, was first elected to the Pontardawe Town Council when she was 21.

Having always had an interest in politics, it wasn't until she contacted two local councillors as part of her dissertation project that the world of local government opened up.

She said: "My dissertation was on attitudes in Neath Port Talbot towards devolution and Welsh independence and I contacted Linet Purcell and Rebeca Phillips.

"They discussed my research with me and highlighted the roles of town councillors.

(Image: Elizabeth Bradfield)

"It just so happened there was a vacancy in Trebanos - I knew I wanted to get involved and I started canvassing on my 21st birthday."

Four years later, she has just been elected the deputy mayor of Pontardawe.

She said: "As deputy mayor, I have various events to attend and I'm looking forward to that, it's really exciting.

"My friends are really proud of me although a lot of them are a bit unsure on the role and what I do. It's unusual for someone like me to become a deputy mayor but that's the message I want to get across: it can be someone like me.

"Being young is not a hindrance, you can be involved and people will support you.

"It's daunting at times but I have been reassured so much that I am welcome here, I've been elected and I have free speech."

Describing the role as "extremely rewarding", Charlotte says that the most valuable skill is listening to residents and ensuring their voices are heard.

She represents the Trebanos ward, where she has lived for 15 years, and has worked on various issues, including trying to tackle problems with increased traffic and speeding along Swansea Road.

She said: "My time on the council has been superb - everybody is so friendly and supportive and you do feel valued.

"It's inclusive and I think having so many young people on the council shows we are forward-thinking and progressive.

"Meetings are far from being stuffy - we have had great chairs, both past and present, who encourage debates and open discussions about the agenda items set so that we can fully explore the topic, before deciding on the best outcome.

"Although the organisation and running of meetings did take some getting used to at the start, like learning that you speak through the chairperson, I definitely feel confident now that I can speak up when I need to.

"We also have a fantastic clerk who keeps the council up-to-date with relevant information, and we can contact her if we would like something put on the agenda for the next meeting." Charlotte combines her role with working part-time and studying for her PhD which is on the governance of climate change in Wales, focusing on the Well-being of Future Generations Act (2015).

At the time of being elected, Charlotte was the youngest town councillor on the council but last year 18-year-old Geraint Nicholson was elected, becoming the youngest town councillor in Wales.

Having had two parents sitting on the town council, Geraint grew up sitting in meetings.

He said: "The first time I became actively involved was at the age of ten when my mother stood for county council and I helped with the leafleting.

"From a young age I was part of local politics with my father having been mayor of Pontardawe and my grandmother having been the mayor of Llandovery.

"My parents didn't push me, I wanted to help out. I asked them to let me be a part of it.

"I started sitting in council meetings listening to what was going on."

Last year, while still in college, he worked as the agent for two county councillors and got to meet local people and learn about some of the issues being discussed.

He also took to the streets to campaign for his father to get re-elected to the town council.

He said: "My father had suffered a stroke at Christmas and I knew it would give him a boost to get re-elected.

"While canvassing for him, I got to know people and decided I would stand as well.

"It's interesting seeing how much you can affect on a local level, it's mind-boggling.

"I would say to people of my age that it's important that you are actually heard and not just ignored. Makes sure you talk to politicians and push what you want to be heard."

Town councillor and county councillor Anthony John Richards, 32, was elected last year.

He said he wants to make a difference in the community, fix problems and give something back.

He said: "Growing up in the Amman Valley and seeing the devastation of families when the coal pits were closed, I heard stories about people taking food parcels to families where their father worked in the mines because he was striking and couldn’t afford it, and it made me question the inequality.

"How is that fair? And yet, this inequality is still prevalent today which is why we have the Pantry foodbank in Pontardawe.

"Pontardawe is a wonderful community and I am very proud that we have so many young, hardworking and passionate town councillors working in our community to serve the residents to the very best of our abilities."

The town council, which has ten Plaid Cymru councillors and four Labour councillors, has done much to engage young people in local government having been one of the first councils in Wales to elect youth representatives five years ago.

And last year the council received the One Voice Wales “Best Youth Engagement Award” recognising its work in involving young people in its decision making.

Youth representatives who have to be over the age of 15 perform all the functions of the town councillors but without the right to vote.

Town council clerk Debby Phillips said the youth representatives have revolutionised decision-making on issues that affect young people in the community by providing the views and problem solving capabilities of another generation.

She said: “It’s a way for young people to have a voice.

“They have exactly the same rights to speak and give their opinions as other councillors, they can be involved in all the committees.

“Many of the young people come with ideas the older generation wouldn’t have thought of – we don’t come from a digital or media age and we find we look at things in a different way.

“If there is any issue where young people are really at the forefront then the youth representatives will go out and speak to their friends and other young people bringing their views back to the meeting.”

Each year, the council which can take on a maximum number of two youth representatives speaks to the local schools, colleges and businesses to highlight the role.

Ms Phillips said: "Anyone between the age of 15 and 25 who has an interest in the community is invited to get in touch, they don’t need to have a political past, just an interest in what’s going on and the future of their community.

“The council has one ordinary meeting a month and there are various committees but it’s flexible as to what the young people want to attend, we ask that they attend the main monthly meeting if possible.”

Harri Evans-Mason was one of the first youth representatives on the town council in 2014 and during his tenure created a popular website providing details of activities for children and young people in the community.

Over time it has been expanded to provide information for seniors and the disabled in the area.

Linet Purcell, mayor of Pontardarwe and one of two county councillors for the town, said: “When we started the initiative of having youth representatives on the council we had no idea where it would lead to but the fact we have so many town councillors under 35 – the youngest in Wales and a 25 year old deputy mayor – shows we are beginning to break down some of the stereotypes associated with politics.”

Anyone interested in becoming a youth representative is asked to send in a letter to pontardawetc@aol.com explaining why they are interested in the post.

For an informal chat about the role call Debby Phillips on 01792 863422.

The deadline is August 31 and the role runs from September to August.