Wiltshire youths take part in democracy week

5:10pm Sunday 12th October 2008

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Young people will be involved in a range of workshops, roadshows and activities aimed at shaping the new one council for Wiltshire during local democracy week.

From October 13 to 17 there will be a variety of events taking place in youth centres throughout Wiltshire where young people will be able to voice their opinions about local issues. Roadshows are being held in Trowbridge, Salisbury and Chippenham so young people can learn about the creation of the new Wiltshire Council and how they can get their voices heard by decision makers in the new structure. They will also have a say on how they think council money should be spent, use electronic voting to select the key issues in their area and learn how to lobby for change. Young people will be offered lots of opportunities to become more involved in local democracy ranging from becoming a Spark Radio DJ to an elected member of the UK Youth Parliament.

Nancy Bryant, Wiltshire County Council cabinet member for education and youth development, said: "It is great to see so many young people involved in shaping their communities. We take young people’s views seriously and look forward to them being an integral part of the new Wiltshire Council."

All the local democracy week activities are being co-ordinated by Wiltshire County Council with partnership support from North Wiltshire District Council, Salisbury District Council and Wiltshire Assembly of Youth.