Pupils have Question Time at Dover District Council.
- 2 November 2009 17:2232269DDC Press Release *****
LOCAL DEMOCRACY WEEK 2009
Pupils from secondary schools in the district will get the chance to debate in the Council Chamber, quiz Councillors, and make bids for funding for special projects for their schools, as part of a day of activities at Dover District Council on Thursday (5 November) in support of Local Democracy Week.
The day is being organised by the Council's Community Development and Democratic Support teams, and is the ninth in a series of popular annual events. The day will include a 'Question Time' style debate, where students will be able to put questions to Kent County Council and Dover District Council service heads on the themes of: youth homelessness; things to do/places to go; youth services; and young people staying safe. There will also be a fun session of 'political speed-dating' where pupils will have the chance to quiz Councillors and award them marks. In the afternoon, students will be given the opportunity to bid for money to fund a special project for their school, with prizes of £600, £300 and £100 to be won, as voted for by the students on the day.
Students are attending from Archers Court Maths and Computing College, Astor College for the Arts, Castle Community College, Dover Grammar School for Girls, Sir Roger Manwood's School and Walmer Science College. Students will learn about the importance of local democracy, and the day will include information on regeneration plans for the district, Dover District Council's Youth Strategy, the Kent Youth County Council and the Dover District Youth Forum.
Cllr Sue Chandler, DDC Cabinet Member for Community, Housing and Youth, said: "We are looking forward to supporting Local Democracy Week again this year, and are pleased that this year we have again been able to offer schools the opportunity to bid for funding for their projects. This follows on from the outstanding success of last year's winning project from Castle Community College, which went on to win a Safer Communities award. This is part of our ongoing commitment to continue to work to give young people an active voice in the district."
- ends -email: dover7@msn.com - 2 November 2009 20:0832288i am trying to picture councillors answering pupils questions in a straightforward manner.
what will they make of replies along the lines of "i will have to put that to scrutiny, before i reply", "that will be subject to approval from planning", "this is a matter for cabinet, you are excluded", "leave that one with me and i will revert the moment that the new hospital is built".? - 2 November 2009 20:2832293
- 2 November 2009 21:3932298thanks bern, i almost forgot "we will assign a steering group to address the issue".
- 3 November 2009 08:4032312And I'll be one of those Councillors they'll be questioning; 3 minutes each - a lifetime !!
Roger - 3 November 2009 10:2932319if i were you roger, i would suddenly remember another appointment.
these kids do not take prisoners, they will ask questions that adults do not know the answer too. - 3 November 2009 11:5032323Good Luck with that one Roger, you'll need to have your 3 weetabix for breakfast that morning, our younger generation can be quite taxing at times
- 3 November 2009 17:0932337I'll just be honest - as I normally am.
Roger - 3 November 2009 20:2232344sorry to hear that roger,you will never reach the house of commons with that attitude.
- 3 November 2009 22:1632355I did not volunteer this year .
- 3 November 2009 22:5632357you will be busy anyway on thursday susan.
better to leave roger to face the lions. - 4 November 2009 08:5232365Are you trying to scare me Howard ? it's working !!
Roger - 4 November 2009 09:3932371Have you been peeping into my diary Howard .You are indeed correct two meetings that day .
- 4 November 2009 12:0432377you have a stalker susan, don't let it worry you though.
- Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
4 November 2009 17:5032390howard,is his name john by any chance. - 4 November 2009 21:5232435I have in the past faced the pupils and yes they are fully informed and many want to have an imput into politics.
In my role as a cllr i put myself in the lions den with Bill newman visiting
the girls garammar/.astor.archers court and msany others
and it was surprizing how much info they have, and how much they care.
They are also very responsible, and aware of issues around them.
they are our future - 4 November 2009 21:5332436Sorry,
must add Cllr Meridith of the lib dems also attended - 10 November 2009 12:0432761Well now, the pupils were able to vote on there favourite councillor of the day, one they would vote for;
lots of choice, all given a 3 minute slot our roger included
so who won??
i know
will post result later - 10 November 2009 15:5932778Gordon Cowan was voted their favourite Councillor, with The Chairman of DDC Bernard Butcher and me (!!!) joint second - not bad for a first time.
Roger - 10 November 2009 21:0632799ROGER
Yes
many people will be surprized that GORDON supposed to be so unpopular
but TOP with the youth!!!!!
interesting!!!!!