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."