Get involved in Local Democracy Week (15-21 October)
Residents are being given the opportunity to have their say on community affairs and the decision-making process during Local Democracy Week.
St Albans City and District Council is running a number of events where people can find out about how local democracy works in practice.
They include:
- Older People’s Day – Wednesday 17 October
Visitors to the Older People’s Day event at the Alban Arena will have the opportunity discuss the local decision-making process with District Councillors face-to-face. Councillors will be hosting a stall at this event and be on hand to answer questions from 10am to 1pm. - Youth Take Over – Thursday 18 October
Secondary school pupils aged 16 years and above are invited to take part in debates on various local issues in the Council Chamber. District Councillors will act as mentors and help the young people form their arguments ready for the debate. Possible topics include whether 16 year-olds should be given the vote or whether vehicles should be banned from St Albans city centre. Any school or Sixth Form College interested in taking part in this event can contact Member Support on 01727 819281 or email member.support@stalbans.gov.uk. - Women in Politics – Friday 19 October
Join in a discussion with District Councillors about how women can get involved in politics and decision-making locally. This drop-in event takes place at St Albans Museum + Gallery from 10.30am to 12.30pm. - Meet the Mayor competition
School children are putting their creative talents to the test in a Meet the Mayor competition themed around local democracy. The Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, Cllr Rosemary Farmer, will be judging the entries during Local Democracy Week. Primary School pupils have been asked to produce pictures of what they would do if they were Mayor for the day. Secondary School pupils have also been invited to submit artwork, poems and short stories, based on one of two themes. These are: ‘What do I like best about the community in which I live?’ and ‘What I would do if I was Mayor for the day?’ Entries need to be emailed to mayoralty@stalbans.gov.uk by Thursday 11 October.
Councillor Salih Gaygusuz, Portfolio Holder for Business and Community at St Albans City and District Council, said:
These Local Democracy Week events are aimed at increasing people’s engagement with and understanding of decision-making locally. We want people to feel able to get involved with community affairs and to express their views through the democratic process.
During Local Democracy Week local authorities run events aimed at engaging people in community affairs and increasing their knowledge about decision-making locally. The theme this year is “Citizen participation, consultation and commitment: for a thriving local democracy”.
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.
Councillor contact:
Councillor Salih Gaygusuz, Portfolio Holder for Business and Community at St Albans City and District Council
Tel: 01727 858289, Email: cllr.s.gaygusuz@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