Democracy Week

Local Democracy Week:

2009's Local Democracy Week will take place in the third week of October - from Monday 12 to Sunday 18.

Visit www.localdemocracy.org.uk

and www.bigvote.org.uk

Every year, local councils are encouraged to involve local young people up to the age of 26 in how the decision making processes work. This year's theme is "Take part, take power".

Every year, councillors are challenged to go out and meet young people in their wards. If any schools or other youth organisations in Haydon Wick Ward would like one or more of us to visit your school or club, please let us know as soon as possible in case someone else gets in first!

Please tell us what else you think we should be doing to engage today's young people in the political process.

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Previous Local Democracy Weeks

Below is a summary of some of previous years' activities.

Local Democracy Week: 14 - 18 October 2002

Article from the Swindon Advertiser Tuesday 15 October 2002

Seeing behind political scene

STUDENTS from Swindon College met a councillor only slightly older than themselves as Local Democracy Week got underway. Fresh-faced Councillor Justin Tomlinson, 25, (Con, Abbey Meads) could almost have passed for one of the 16 A-level politics students. Councillor Tomlinson gave the students a behind-the-scenes insight into local government. And then they had a chance to sit as the council cabinet themselves when they had a discussion in the main debating chamber on the subject of fox hunting. The students also met Swindon Mayor Stan Pajak and representatives from the Labour and Conservative political groups.

Local Democracy Week is a nationwide event organised by the Local Government Association to encourage participation in local politics.

In Swindon the focus is on children ­ over the next two weeks hundreds of pupils will be shown around the council offices, meet the mayor and get to take part in a live debate in the council chamber. Borough election assistant John Carter said: "This is the third year in a row that we've organised these events for National Democracy Week and they're very popular. "In our debates we encourage children to discuss a given issue before asking them to post their ballots on it in an authentically-managed vote. They seem to really enjoy it. "The week is intended to increase awareness of local politics and decisions and the importance of voting. "It is also a chance to explain some of the mysteries behind voting. "The Swindon College students seemed to enjoy themselves and especially enjoyed meeting Councillor Tomlinson."

Sally McGuire, committee members' services officer at Swindon Council, said: "There are lots of schools taking part again this year after finding it very helpful and informative last year. "The children seem to be genuinely interested in finding out more about what we do here and like trying it out for themselves."

Schools wishing to take part in or find out more about Democracy Week should call Katrina Carpenter at
Swindon Council on (01793) 463000.

From the Members' Bulletin

At the start of Local Democracy Week a group of students from the Swindon College visited the Civic Offices to meet a representative of each of the three political groups and to receive a short presentation on elections and electoral registration. The visit was a success and the students enjoyed the opportunity to meet the Mayor, Stan Pajak as well as the Deputy Leader of the Council, David Cox and the youngest Councillor, Justin Tomlinson. It was the first time that the students had visited the Civic Offices.

The Mayor’s Perspective

‘A Council Chamber full of young people all clamouring to speak - a Mayor’s nightmare? No, a Mayor's dream. This has been the start of Local Democracy Week and over the last few days we have had visits from Swindon College, St. Andrews, Kingsdown and Westrop schools. Swindon College as befitting their status had talks with myself (LibDem, Eastcott), Justin Tomlinson (Conservative, Abbey Meads), our youngest Councillor, and David Cox (Lab, Toothill), the Council’s Deputy Leader. These talks were matched by a discussion on how elections work by John Carter.

For the schools, following a general introduction to local government and the roles of a Councillor John Carter explained the process behind elections. The key to the success of the secessions was participation. We had an election for mayor were the three or four pupils stood as candidates and gave a reason why they should be supported - please note a reduced school week and a new skateboard park are winning policies! The winning candidate then was dressed in the mayoral robes and chains - as ever a wonderful photo opportunity.

Based in the Council Chamber and playing the roles of Councillors the motion was” Does Britain need a Monarchy?”

The level of debate was fantastic with nearly everyone wanting to speak - some several times-obviously future politicians!

Some fun points were raised like “It we had no monarchy what would the England supporters sing before a game or whose head would we put on stamps?” These were matched by the very serious issues such as “Could the money be spent saved from not having the monarchy be used on health or schools” or “The Queen makes our country special and attracts visitors”.

The issue was then put to the vote using real ballot papers, polling booths and the ballot box. John as returning officer then declared the result. The results so far (with more schools coming next week) are two in favour of keeping the monarchy and one against.

All the schools reported how much they enjoyed it and on asking if they would vote in the local elections - I am pleased to say nearly all the sessions produced a 100% yes - not a bad days work!’