THE Scottish Youth Parliament was recently hosted in the Wee County by the council.

It was the first sitting of the newly elected members for 2019-21 with formal business at Alva Academy and saw local MSYP Sebastian Richardson, who was welcomed by Clackmannanshire Council leader Councillor Ellen Forson, in attendance.

The whole-weekend event, which also included the Annual General Meeting, kicked off with outdoor activities on Friday, July 5, evening at Gartmorn Dam.

During official business, MSYPs selected their national campaign for the duration of the parliament: environmental protection.

Board members and conveners were also selected, the process chaired by Clackmannanshire’s senior education manager Lorraine Sanda as returning officer and the count witnessed by independent observer Clark Whyte.

The Saturday night also saw a celebratory evening at Alloa Town Hall to mark the 20th anniversary of the Scottish Youth Parliament with a ceilidh and 90s disco, buffet and a birthday cake.

The council’s Community Learning & Development Team organised the event and received praise from MSYP Jack Dudgeon, chair, for their professionalism and hard work.