Young people in Knowsley will get their chance to express their views to councillors and senior managers from the Council at an event to mark Local Democracy Week.

 

The event, which is taking place from 5pm to 9pm on Thursday, October 9, will be an excellent opportunity for young people, councillors and chief officers to meet each other. It will challenge perceptions and stereotypes and bridge the gap to provide an opportunity for young people to increase their knowledge and understanding of political systems.

 

At the event, young people, councillors and chief officers will take part in ‘Speak Up’ which will allow issues raised by young people to be discussed informally.

 

After ‘Speak Up’, the evening will continue with “Political Speed Dating 2008”, a light-hearted way for young people to spend three minutes chatting to councillors and chief officers about the issues raised from “Speak Up”.

 

The prestigious Youth Champion 2008 award will be presented to the councillor or chief officer with the highest score given by young people during the Political Speed Dating - which will be calculated and checked by an independent adjudicator.

 

Cllr Graham Wright, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “It’s absolutely vital that politicians like me and senior managers hear first-hand what young people have to say about the services they receive and the issues that affect their lives. I will also be particularly interested to listen to the views and experiences of the looked after children whose representatives will also be attending.“

 

For more information, please phone Tom Walker from Knowsley Council’s Communications Team on 0151 443 3224.

 

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