Forum Brief: Local Democracy Week

Local Democracy Week has begun, aiming to highlight how local authorities are promoting democracy and encouraging the public to take a more active role in local decisions.

Forum Response: Local Government Association

Councillor Laura Willoughby, chair of the LGA's equalities executive, said: "I am delighted that so many hundreds of councils, partners, national politicians and other leading figures have committed themselves to promoting Local Democracy Week. This campaign is a really exciting opportunity to get the message out loud and clear to young people from all walks of life that your opinions matter and we want to hear from you.

"Initiatives like Local Democracy Week cannot come too soon. We all know general interest in politics is waning but turnout for local elections is especially poor - particularly amongst young people. I do not believe that means they don't care about their local community or have anything to contribute.

"As with many people in the UK today, young people don't really know what local councils actually do or why it's important and, crucially, nor do they feel anyone is interested in their opinions. That's not true. But we don't just need to tell them - we need to show them.

"Local Democracy Week is not only a vital publicity campaign, it is a wake-up call to all of us in local politics and policy making. These young people are the voters of tomorrow - our future, and we must give them the opportunity to voice their opinions and help make them count.

"This week it is expected that the LGA executive will ratify the LGA's equalities executive decision to make voting at 16 LGA policy. I personally hope that will be successful, as not only does it happily coincide with Local Democracy Week but will also send a clear message to our young people that we want to hear their voice."

Forum Response: Local Government Information Unit

Councillor Dave Wilcox, chair of the LGIU, said: "There is a school of thought that would seek to resolve the shortage of council candidates, and supposedly raise their quality, by cutting the number of councillors. This would mean an even greater centralisation of the British state and a weaker local democracy.

"This is not the LGIU's way. We want a stronger local democracy, engaging more local people and being more representative of the diverse backgrounds found in modern society.

"Part of the way to achieving this concerns a range of issues around the powers and responsibilities of local government.

"However, vital too are a number of constitutional questions and the support given to those interested in serving their local communities. The LGIU has a range of proposals that would bring more talent into local government and public service. We will be articulating these ideas vigorously in the coming months."

Forum Response: British Youth Council

Blossom Young, chair of the British Youth Council, told ePolitix.com: "As part of Local Democracy Week, the British Youth Council (BYC) and the Local Government Association (LGA) are bringing over 100 young people from youth councils, youth groups, schools and colleges from around the country to a Young People in Parliament Event.

"The event will see young people examine whether they feel that their views and needs are being seen, heard and met by local and central government and how local youth councils can be used to increase young people's involvement in local decision making and democracy. Cross-party MPs will debate these key issues with the young people during the event.

"As part of BYC's commitment to helping young people to be more involved in decisions that affect their lives, BYC will launch a brand new Lobbying Guide, 'Young People Influencing Decisions' published in partnership with BT.

"The guide provides young people with advice on how to run a successful lobbying campaign, explaining the UK political process and how to influence it.

"It is widely believed that many young people have become disillusioned with politics, but research has shown that they are interested, providing they are given opportunities and support that allows them to engage with decision-makers and politicians on a regular basis and in ways that enable them to participate actively.

"Our Young People in Parliament Event and our Lobbying Guide will help young people to do this."

Forum Response: National Youth Agency

Bishop Roger Sainsbury, chair of The NYA, said: "Children and young people are key members of all local communities. They live in the same areas, they use and receive the same services, and they have the same rights and responsibilities as other members of local communities.

"They represent a section of every community that has its own needs, views and aspirations. Children and young people have the right to express their views and to be heard as set out in The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the European Convention on Human Rights.

"The Standards Framework in Hear by Right encourages councils to look seriously at how they currently involve and engage children and young people in local democratic processes and how to improve this."