Councillors Pledge To Help Young People

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Councillors Pledge To Help Young People

Children in schools across the Cotswolds have found a voice for their views through the 'Memorable Manifestos' of Councillors Paul Hodgkinson and Sally-Anne Morrissey.

As part of Local Democracy Week, which was held from October 8th � 19th 2007, five Members of Cotswold District Council were chosen to write a 'Memorable Manifesto', a short 250-word document saying how they would improve services and support in their wards for young people.

The five Cotswold District Councillors who took part in this year's event were:

Cllr Sir Edward Horsfall (Ampney-Coln)
Cllr Paul Hodgkinson (Churn Valley)
Cllr Carole Topple (Riversmeet)
Cllr Geoffrey Adams (Cirencester Park)
Cllr Sally-Anne Morrissey (Three Rivers)

And after studying the five manifestos, which were posted on the Council's website, schools across the District voted the two manifestos of Cllrs Hodgkinson and Morrissey as the overall winners.

Several schools took part in the voting process, and two schools sent children to Cotswold District Council's Trinity Road offices for presentation ceremonies in December (Swell Primary School) and February (North Cerney C of E School).

Cllr Morrissey pleaded for a voice for young people in her manifesto, and wanted children to be given more things to do in their communities, including better facilities in village halls and better access to sport and live music events.

And Cllr Hodgkinson's manifesto pledged to lower the voting age to 16, tackle green and environmental issues, make more houses available for younger people and rid schools of bullying.

The event has been organised by the Council's Youth Participation Officer Claire Dowan.

She explained:

�The Memorable Manifesto Challenge is an excellent opportunity to bring children, young people and Councillors together to discuss how things work in local government and share concerns about young people's lives in their communities.

�The tour of Cotswold District Council afterwards helps bring the whole thing to life as pupils met officers and took part in a re-cycling workshop, played a game called �Respect and visited front of house.�


Posted : 10/03/2008 23:58:49

PLEASE NOTE: This story has been archived and the information contained within it may no longer be correct.


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