Local democracy for a new generation of voters
Elections or election fever…Polls and referendums are always in the headlines.
With a new voting generation coming along. Wealden District Council is visiting Community Colleges in the district with a special road show of events to explain about Local Democracy.
“The aim is to give youngsters some idea about what local councils do…and how much their services cost,” said Councillor Margaret Kirkpatrick, Cabinet member for Housing and Young People.
“Young people near voting age may have never thought about how the services - which they take for granted - are provided. Or how they can take action to change them. Our Local Democracy Week presentations provide a morning of education and entertainment to explain how local government works.”
This year’s Local Democracy Week road show features East Hoathly-based arts group Act On It who will be using their unique brand of TV-style formats:
· The Price is Right - a games show in which students are asked to guess the price of providing some of the many district council services.
· Barry’s Kitchen, a spoof celebrity chef show in which a character setting up a new restaurant relies on the help of a range of different public services.
The road show also includes talks by district council officers and a question and answer session in which the students are invited to quiz their local politicians.
Wealden’s Local Democracy Week road show will be visiting Heathfield School on October 9, Uplands School, Wadhurst on October 15, Uckfield School on October 16 and Willingdon School on November 6.
Last year, over 500 local students took part in Wealden’s Local Democracy Week events.
