Students have voice in politics (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Students have voice in politics

Ref. 29052-39WHOEVER said young people are disinterested in politics obviously never met students from Wootton Bassett School.

A group of them are ensuring their generation's views are being fed into the decision-making process in North Wiltshire District Council's first Young People's Council.

The idea stemmed from Local Democracy Week in October when youngsters were invited to discuss issues concerning them.

Now, 16 to 18-year-olds from Wiltshire schools will regularly participate in meetings conducted in the same way as formal council meetings.

Raj Ladva, 16, said: "It was held in the real council chamber and we had to speak through the microphones.

"It really felt the councillors were listening to us."

Andy Coleman, also 16, added: "It is a good way to get our voice across.

"We all have a lot to say we'll do the best we can to get young people's views across."

The issues debated at Wednesday's meeting included local transport, including late night buses, lack of facilities for young people and policing at night.

One major concern for the Wootton Bassett students was the cost of the school bus.

Zoe Tang, 16, said: "People felt quite strongly about that in our sixth form. "

The meeting's minutes will be presented to the next meeting of the district council's executive committee.

North Wiltshire District Council spokesman Paul Langcaster said: "It was a very lively debate.

"Our lead member for youth, Carol Gorman, toured the schools taking part to find out what issues young people were concerned about."

The other schools participating in the youth council are Corsham School, Hardenhuish and Sheldon schools and Wiltshire College, which are all in Chippenham, John Bentley School, in Calne, and Malmesbury School.

Bhavani Vadde