A variety of projects take place within the District each October as part of Local Democracy Week to help increase awareness and involvement in democracy at a local level
Local Democracy Week, 10 to 16 October 2011
Three youth councils in the district invited local district councillors to participate in a “time for questions” panel evening held in the District Council Chamber on Wednesday 12 October 2011.
The audience consisted of members of the youth councils, five pupils from each local school and five members from each youth club, who were invited to hear the questions and answers. In addition district councillors, county councillors for St Albans District, County Council cabinet members for childrens’ services and health were also invited.
Question themes included:-
• Financial education in schools
• Funding for counselling in schools
• Lack of clarity for choices other than university
• Local transport
• School league tables
• Jobs
• Internship opportunities
• How all of the above can have an impact on the mental health of young people
The panel consisted of Councillors Daly, Donald, Quagliozzi and Grover plus a representative from each of the three youth councils and was chaired by the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Geoff Harrison.
Ellie Tyler of Harpenden Youth Town Council commented: “It was really valuable to have Youth Councillors sitting on the same panel as District Councillors. The level of interaction we had from the panel and the audience was really encouraging.”
Hugh Baillie Lane of St Albans Youth Council commented: “It was a great opportunity for young people to air their opinions on issues relevant to them with local decision-makers there to listen and take on board our views. It was especially important to have the chance to highlight the subject of good mental health, because it is such a massive issue for young people locally.”
Megan Crawley of Redbourn Youth Council commented: “I was particularly glad to see so many young people in the audience taking part in the discussion. The interest that they showed in the issues raised really gave the youth councillors more confidence in expressing opinions and ideas about how we can improve mental health in young people locally."
The three Youth Councils within the District are supported by Hertfordshire Youth Connexions, St Albans City and District Council, Harpenden Town Council and Redbourn Parish Council.
In addition to this event, panels made up of 18 district councillors visited eight schools as part of Local Democracy Week. The young people were able to quiz the panelists on a wide range of topics covering local and national issues.
The Schools visited included: Marlborough School, Roundwood School, St Albans School, Sandringham School, Townsend School, Francis Bacon Maths and Computer College, St Columba’s College, St Albans Girls School.
The councilors who made up the panels visiting schools included: Cllrs Brazier, G. Churchard, Clark, Daly, Donald, Gaygusuz, Grover, Heritage, Lee, Myland, Perks, Quagliozzi, Rowlands, Swendell, Wakely, Wartenberg, White, Witherick,