So you think you could run a local council…..
The next generation of voters got a taste of what it’s like to make decisions which affect their community as part of a major Local Democracy Week initiative run by Wealden District Council.
Year 12 and 13 students at four Community Colleges in the district have been sitting in the hot seat when it comes to tackling major problems such as an outbreak of a flu pandemic, anti social behaviour, the affordable housing crisis and a freak tornado.
Wealden’s Democracy Week Road Shows also gave students opportunity to register and vote in a mock election organised by Council’s Electoral Services department, and take part in a question-and-answer session with local councillors.
“Over the course this week, we have involved nearly six hundred 16 and 17 year olds. They have seen how the voting system works, come face to face with some of the telling problems we now face in the community, and been able to feed in their own ideas and solutions,” said Councillor Mrs Margaret Kirkpatrick, Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Development.
“They have had to decide which key council workers should receive vaccinations in a flu pandemic, consider what constitutes anti-social behaviour to a sixty year old and look at how to accommodate the needs of the 2000 people currently on Wealden’s housing register.”
Four morning events have been held at Beacon Community College, Crowborough; Uckfield Community Technology College; Uplands Community Technology College, Wadhurst; and Heathfield Community College.
“Councillors and staff have made a major effort to encourage young people to become involved in the electoral process,” said Councillor Mrs Kirkpatrick. “As councillors we believe it is important to build links with the district’s young people. We have heard first hand some of their frustration about the way the system works, and their own desires to make changes in the community.”
During the session, the arts group Act–On–It have been using drama to draw attention to the different perspectives linked in with the problems of anti social behaviour, and students have been contributing to survey on the fear of crime for the Safer Wealden Partnership.
Poll cards and manifestos were distributed to the colleges before the event. Students were asked to vote for a number of fictitious parties – named after fruit - which held different views on the key issues of smoking in public places, binge drinking and tackling anti-social behaviour. Votes were counted using the Westminster first-past-the-post system and proportional representation to see how contrasting voting systems can affect the results.
“Last year we held a Local Democracy event at our Pine Grove offices in Crowborough and invited students to take part,” explained Wealden’s Head of Democratic and Legal Services, Trevor Scott. “This year we have gone out into local schools to offer students a taste of the work local authorities are involved in, and how they, as citizens, can get involved. I would like to thank all the staff and students at Beacon, Uckfield, Uplands and Heathfield community colleges for their help with these events.”
Note to Editors:
The Wealden District Council Road Shows were one of over 400 local and regional events organised by councils, the Local Government Association and other organisations as part of this year's Local Democracy Week – October 17–21.
Please find attached photograph of students at Beacon Community College Crowborough, and Uckfield Community Technology College taking part in the Local Democracy Week poll.
The Safer Wealden Partnership includes members the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, Sussex Downs & Weald Primary Care Trust, Sussex Police Authority, Sussex Police, Wealden District Council, the Youth Offending Team and East Sussex County Council. The Partnership has two key themes: reducing the fear of crime and dealing with anti-social behaviour.
