Broxbourne Youth Council has elected its new cabinet for the 2026/27 academic year, appointing Zara Djemal as Youth Mayor alongside representatives responsible for deputy leadership, health and social media engagement. The elections, held on 7 October 2026, also marked a milestone for the council with the introduction of a new Social Media Officer position and the first shared cabinet appointment in its history.
The annual elections took place in the Council Chamber on Wednesday evening, with Youth Council members voting to determine the leadership team for the coming year. Councillor Patsy Spears, the Mayor of Broxbourne, attended the proceedings.
The appointments form part of the borough’s efforts to provide young people with opportunities to participate in local decision-making, develop leadership skills and contribute to community initiatives.
Zara Djemal Elected as Broxbourne’s Eighth Youth Mayor
Zara Djemal, a Year 12 student at Hertford Regional College, was elected as Broxbourne’s eighth Youth Mayor, taking responsibility for leading the Youth Council throughout the 2026/27 academic year.
Her appointment represents a significant progression within the organisation. Djemal joined the Youth Council on the same day as the previous year’s elections and has now secured its most senior representative position.
As Youth Mayor, she intends to introduce new ideas, strengthen representation for younger residents and support campaigns designed to improve opportunities and community wellbeing.
Djemal said: “I am very proud to be elected as Youth Mayor, and I will make sure the Youth Council does everything possible to amplify voices and better the lives of young people within our community.”
Her leadership priorities include ensuring that young people’s perspectives are considered in discussions affecting the borough and supporting initiatives that deliver benefits beyond the Youth Council itself.
Thomas Vaciago Appointed Deputy Youth Mayor
Thomas Vaciago, a Year 10 student at Goffs Academy, was elected Deputy Youth Mayor.
The appointment places Vaciago in a supporting leadership position, working alongside Djemal as the council develops its activities and campaigns during the academic year.
Vaciago has expressed enthusiasm about progressing into a cabinet role and is committed to assisting the newly elected Youth Mayor.
The two appointments establish the council’s principal leadership team, responsible for supporting its work and encouraging participation among young residents.
New Health and Social Media Officers Join Youth Council Cabinet
The elections also confirmed appointments covering health and digital communications, reflecting the range of issues addressed through youth representation.
Lily-Rose Blackford, a Year 10 student at Haileybury Turnford, was elected Health Officer.
The position provides a designated cabinet representative for health-related matters within the Youth Council’s activities, giving the organisation a point of focus for discussions concerning young people’s wellbeing.
Historic Joint Appointment Creates First Social Media Officers
A notable development in this year’s elections was the appointment of Edward Odulaja and Monroe Clarke as Broxbourne Youth Council’s first Social Media Officers.
Both are Year 10 students at Haileybury Turnford and received an equal number of votes in the election.
As a result, the candidates were jointly appointed, marking the first occasion on which a cabinet position has been shared in the Youth Council’s history.
The newly introduced position adds digital communications to the council’s cabinet structure. It provides an opportunity to strengthen the organisation’s engagement with young residents through online channels.
The shared appointment also distinguishes the 2026/27 cabinet from previous leadership teams, expanding the number of young representatives holding designated responsibilities.
Youth Council Encourages Participation Across Broxbourne
Broxbourne Youth Council is open to young people aged between 11 and 17 who either live or study within the borough.
The organisation provides a platform through which younger residents can express their views, participate in discussions and contribute to campaigns intended to benefit their communities.
Both the Youth Mayor and the Youth Council operate on a politically neutral basis, allowing members to focus on issues affecting young people without party-political affiliation.
New Cabinet Begins 2026/27 Academic Year
The newly elected cabinet brings together students from Hertford Regional College, Goffs Academy and Haileybury Turnford, representing different educational settings within the local area.
With five students occupying four cabinet positions, the leadership team will now focus on its responsibilities for the academic year.
The elections underline the continued role of youth participation in Broxbourne’s community engagement, while the addition of social media responsibilities signals an expansion of the council’s representative structure.
The incoming cabinet will have the opportunity to build on existing Youth Council activities, develop new campaigns and encourage more young residents to contribute to discussions about their borough.
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