By Charlotte Page

THE youngest member of Harlow Council celebrated his first six months as a councillor this week.

Stefan Mullard, 25, represents the Staple Tye ward where he is responsible for any interaction that local residents may have with the council.

Cllr Mullard said: “I’ve really enjoyed my first six months.

“The role has been everything I expected and is living up to my expectations,”.

As part of his role, cllr Mullard works with various boards and communities and recently took forward a motion relating to Hate Crime.

Following on from the EU Brexit result, cllr Mullard put forward the motion to the Labour group and submitted the need for change to the council.

“There’s been a fear after Brexit yet hate crime has no part in our town.

“It has no place in Harlow.”

Surprisingly, many victims and cases of hate crime go unreported.

“Any case, no matter how big or small, must be reported,” he said.

With his parents a teacher and a nurse, cllr Mullard has always had a passion for politics and studied it as an undergraduate at Canterbury Christ Church University.

As the youngest member of the cabinet, cllr Mullard urges more young people to be involved in politics.

“We are very lucky in Harlow to have a vibrant youth council but the downfall is that there are not enough young representatives.

“Young people have to advocate change.”