Council Runs Local Democracy Week (Four Months Late)

2.19.00pm GMT Wed 3rd Mar 2010

Local Democracy Week is about local government engaging with young people

A number of events normally held during Local Democracy Week (beginning on 12th October 2009) are taking place in Epsom & Ewell this week, after Lib Dem councillors campaigned for the Borough Council to participate.

A "political speed dating" session was held on Tuesday 2nd March. This involved a dozen young people, ranging in age from 11 - 18, spending a couple of minutes with each councillor in attendance. Half of the Lib Dem council group participated, but only 3 out of 23 RA councillors chose to be involved.

"There were some very interesting ideas coming from the youngsters" said Cllr Jonathan Lees. "A covered teenage play area was one, more dance and 'tech' classes on subjects like cookery and woodwork, lots of complaints about potholes and inadequate street lighting." Council officers are to be commended for organising the event which will be followed up with a roadshow visit to Epsom & Ewell High School and University for the Creative Arts.

Cllr Lees said "Comments from the young people at the end of the session included the suggestion that councillors should hold this kind of thing once every term and visit schools. The sad thing is that it was such hard work to persuade some of the ruling RA councillors that it was worthwhile running a Local Democracy Week at all"