STOW Town Council welcomed its newest member at its monthly meeting and exclaimed the average age of the committee had been reduced by 20 years.

Twenty-three-year Alana Powell was co-opted onto the committee following four applications for the vacancy. She has lived in Stow all her life, leaving only briefly to study modern history at the University of Manchester.

She says her reason to become a councillor was to help improve and create a more inclusive town.

"I would love to see more civic events and a more diverse range of people engaging with the council. Stow Town Council is not just about putting up some Christmas lights once a year or doing a litter pick around the parks. For me, I would like better provisions for young people, in particular, improved youth facilities, better public transport links and most importantly, affordable housing for local people. The housing market in Stow is currently completely unobtainable for 20-somethings who want to live in the town. We either have to camp at our long-suffering parents' houses, pay extortionate rents that leave little left at the end of the month for deposit saving, or move further afield where houses in our price budget actually exist. Through the creation of a Neighbourhood Plan, the town council is part of the network that can make affordable housing for local people a reality.

"Even though I think its important to have a voice representing younger people on the council, my focus is not just on this demographic. I am passionate about securing the future of a local doctors' surgery, and ensuring that there is excellent elderly care provision in Stow. I am pleased that two new care facilities have been commissioned for the town. I will support these developments but we must ensure that local elderly people have access to, and can afford to live in these facilities.

"I look forward to getting started and working with my fellow councillors to make Stow an even better place to live, work and socialise."