Young people debate issues in Local Democracy Week
Students took over St Albans City and District Council’s Chamber during Local Democracy Week to debate issues around mental health education and voting rights.
More than 30 young people from Oaklands College, Sandringham School and Loreto College took part in the day-long Youth Take Over event.
During the morning, they were helped by District Councillors to form their arguments in support of three motions:
- 16 year-olds should be given the vote.
- Educational establishments in St Albans District should introduce mental health education for 10 to 18 year-olds.
- The committee believes that we should be focused on the child’s progress rather than the image of the school.
Later in the day they debated the topics in the Council Chamber with the Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, Cllr Rosemary Farmer, acting as Chair.
The Mayor said:
I was really impressed with the debating skills of these young people. They had a clear grasp of the various topics and put forward their arguments succinctly and persuasively. Events like these help young people develop their debating skills, learn about democracy and, hopefully, become more engaged with decision-making locally.
After the debate, the students were given a talk about the role of the Mayor and one of the students tried on the Mayor’s robes.
Youth Take Over is just one of several events that the Council organised for Local Democracy Week.
Earlier in the week, District Councillors hosted a stall at the St Albans District Older People’s Day event where they chatted to visitors about local democracy and community issues.
They were also on hand to discuss the topic of ‘Women in Politics’ at a drop-in session held at St Albans Museum + Gallery on Friday 19 October.
In addition, a ‘Meet the Mayor’ art and essay competition was organised for school children to enter.
Cllr Brian Ellis, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Inclusion for St Albans City and District Council, said:
Local Democracy Week offers everyone the opportunity to increase their knowledge about decision-making locally and to become more involved in community affairs.
The events are aimed at helping people feel that they can have a say about issues and the way that decisions are made at a local level.
During Local Democracy Week, local authorities across Europe run events aimed at engaging people in community affairs and increasing their knowledge about decision-making locally. The theme this year was “Citizen participation, consultation and commitment: for a thriving local democracy”.
Ideas for events that the Council could run during Local Democracy Week next year, can be sent to member.support@stalbans.gov.uk (link content no longer available due to retirement of former website)
Information about local democracy and the role of St Albans City and District Council is available online at https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/council-and-elections.
The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, Councillor Rosemary Farmer
Contact for the Mayor’s office:
Alison Orde, the Mayor’s Civic Officer
Tel: 01727 819544, Email: mayoralty@stalbans.gov.uk
Councillor contact:
Cllr Brian Ellis, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Inclusion for St Albans City and District Council
Tel: 01582 767621, Bus. email: cllr.b.ellis@stalbans.gov.uk
Contact for the media:
Amanda Wilkinson, Senior Communications Officer, St Albans City and District Council
Tel: 01727 819317, E-mail: amanda.wilkinson@stalbans.gov.uk
Photos:
Above - Students debating in the St Albans City and District Council’s Chamber
Students taking part in Youth Take Over event, pictured with Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, Cllr Rosemary Farmer:
The Mayor’s Macebearer helps a student try on the Mayor’s robes