Students studying citizenship and A Level politics at County Upper School in Bury St Edmunds will see at first hand how decisions affecting the borough are made, when the next meeting of St Edmundsbury Cabinet is held at the school at 5pm on Wednesday 6 October 2004.
Before the meeting starts A Level students will also have the opportunity to take part in a lively debate with councillors about law and order allowing them to put their learning into practice. This is the second time a Cabinet meeting has been held at a school in the borough. Samuel Ward Upper School in Haverhill hosted a meeting in March this year and more meetings at schools are being planned for the future. The debate with councillors is a new initiative linking the work of the council into the curriculum, we hope to offer this to all senior schools through debates and MP style surgeries with councillors.
The Cabinet meeting forms part of the wider programme of events taking place during Young People Month which will be running from 1-31 October. This gives young people the opportunity to learn more about local democracy by getting involved in an assortment of interactive events and activities being held in the borough. Over the last few years St Edmundsbury Borough Council has supported Local Democracy Week and is extending it to encourage greater public participation with a focus on activities for young people.
Council Leader Cllr John Griffiths said:
“"Following the positive feedback from last years Local Democracy Week, we are keen to get even more young people involved in local government and to let them know that they can make a difference. The Cabinet is eager to engage as many young people as possible in the democratic process and is delighted to be holding our next meeting at County Upper - hopefully only the first of many meetings there in the future."
Adrian Williams, Head Teacher of County Upper School said:
“County Upper is proud of its links with St Edmundsbury Borough Council and this initiative is yet another example of the council’s enthusiasm to engage with young people of the town. We have been grateful to be involved in recent consultations, such as the Cattle Market, new cinema and cycling routes and our students are extremely keen to get involved in and discuss these issues. We are proud to welcome the Cabinet to the school next Wednesday and look forward to it.”
If you would like to find out more about the activities included as part of Young People Month, please contact Natalie Tobutt on 01284 757633.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- CountyUpperSchool is in Beetons Way, Bury St Edmunds.
ISSUED BY MARIA STAFF, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757033 email maria.staff@stedsbc.gov.uk
