Find out about local democracy

If you have ever wondered how local democracy works and what Councillors do, then there is the opportunity to find out during Local Democracy Week (9-15 October).

Various events are being organised by St Albans City and District Council to help people get involved with the democratic process and to express their views.

They include the opportunity to:

• Network with ‘Women in Politics’ on Monday 9 October, from 10.00am to 12.00 noon. Local female Councillors will be on hand at the Beech House in St Peter’s Street, St Albans to talk about how to get involved in local democracy.

• Discuss local issues with Councillors at the Older People’s Day event at the Alban Arena on Wednesday 11 October, from 10.00am to 1pm. Councillors will be available on a stall to answer questions and talk about local community issues. Sixth-form students are also being invited to join in a ‘Question Time’ debate in the Council Chamber at the Civic Centre on Thursday 12 October, from 1.30pm – 4.15pm. Students from local schools and colleges will be able to put questions to a cross-party panel of local Councillors to debate.

Cllr Beric Read, Business and Community Portfolio Holder for St Albans City and District Council, says: “Come along to one of the Local Democracy Week events to find out more about how local democracy works in practice. You can meet with local Councillors to discuss issues that concern you and find out how you can take a more active role in the democratic process.”

A local democracy themed art competition for school children is also being run by the Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, Councillor Mohammad Iqbal Zia. Pupils at local primary schools are invited to produce pictures depicting ‘What I would do if I was Mayor for a Day’. The winner will receive a £10 book token and be invited to the Council offices for tea and cake with the Mayor and five of their classmates. The winning student will also have the opportunity to try on the Mayor’s robes and hold the Ceremonial Mace. Secondary school pupils can create an artwork, or a poem or short story focused on ‘What do I like best about the community in which I live?’. The winners of these art and creative writing categories will each win a £25 Amazon Voucher, to be presented by the Mayor.

The Mayor, Cllr Mohammad Iqbal Zia, said “It is important that young people can express their views on local issues that concern them. This competition gives them the opportunity to do that while also learning all about local democracy. I am looking forward to seeing what these young people would do if they were Mayor for the day and what they like about their local community.”

All entries need to be clearly marked with the name of the pupil and the school. They must be sent to The Mayor’s Office, St Albans City & DistrictCouncil, St Peters Street, St Albans, AL1 3JE, or to member.support@stalbans.gov.uk by Friday 6 October 2017.

More information about the Local Democracy Week events is available on the Council’s website. You can also find out about local democracy and the role of St Albans City and District Council online at www.stalbans.gov.uk/council-and-democracy .

The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, Councillor Mohammad Iqbal Zia

Contact for the Mayor’s office:
Alison Orde, the Mayor’s Civic Officer
Tel: 01727 819544
Email: mayoralty@stalbans.gov.uk

Councillor contact:
Cllr Beric Read, Business and Community Portfolio for St Albans City and District Council
Mob: 07507 353217
Email: cllr.b.read@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

www.stalbans.gov.uk
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/StAlbansCouncil