Darren Cameron believes the existing selection process, involving the council being chosen, is defective.

"There's a fatal flaw...in the youth council and the fatal flaw is that they are selected, not elected, and while that continues to be the case they are undemocratic," he said.

"If we're going to give them a bigger part in the city's governance...as I believe we must, then they need to be more representative and we need to have confidence that they are more representative of the youth of Albury."

Cr Cameron said given high school captains are elected the city should consider giving them automatic entry to the youth body.

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"That way at least there's a guarantee that they have been in some form elected," he said.

Cr Cameron joined deputy mayor Amanda Cohn and staff in selecting the current youth council but was left frustrated after feeling his views were discounted.

The youth council is open to those aged 14 to 24.

Cr Cameron believes year 12 should be the cut-off point, arguing those over 18 are adults who have rights which minors do not have.

His comments came amid a debate at last week's council meeting which saw a youth council constitution and policy rescinded and replaced with terms of reference, a code of ethics and confidentiality guidelines.

Mayor Kevin Mack said given his experience with selection there was diversity on the youth council.

"There has been a variety of demographics representative of a variety of different schools and backgrounds," Cr Mack said.

Youth mayor Eli Davern has urged the city to use of the term 'climate emergency' and have the rainbow flag in the council chamber.

After The Border Mail contacted Eli for a response to Cr Cameron's call for change with the youth council he spoke to the city's communications section which provided a statement from him.

In it, Eli did not address the democratic aspect but said the youth council welcomed "discussions on the selection process".

Eli, who is a not a school captain, said youth councillors "joined because they're passionate about their city and are dedicated to making Albury an even better place for young people to live, work and learn".