THIS next local government election is going to be hotly contested with over 1000 nominations forms already delivered for the council's 54 seats.  But before anyone starts to worry about the size of the ballot papers, these mock nominations are coming from local schools that are taking part in Harrogate Borough Council's plans for Local Democracy Week (17/23 October). 

 

Should these young primary school pupils get 'elected' they would join just over 20,000 elected councillors who serve on some 410 local authorities in England and Wales representing nearly 40 million people who are registered to vote. 

 

They would also help to spend a budget of £83.8 billion which is the estimated national spend on the day to day running of local services in 2005/2006.  One of the biggest spends is on education.

 

And, as the theme of this year's special focus on local life is on young people, the council has joined up with 11 schools around the district to promote an interest in local democracy by linking into the national curriculum on citizenship.

 

The 'design an election leaflet' competition has two age categories for years four to six and seven to nine.  The winners will go on an all expenses paid trip to visit to the House of Commons, which includes a meeting with their local MP and a ride on the London eye for them and their parents.

 

A further aim of this special week is to build bridges between young people and community leaders so that they can each find out what makes the other tick.

 

The Mayor of the Borough, Councillor Caroline Bayliss, is inviting young people aged up to 21 to shadow a councillor and/or an officer for a day during the week.  And in a different sort of 'work experience', the Mayor is also asking young people to invite her into school or their work place and to follow it up by coming along to a 'job shop' at the Council Offices on Tuesday 18 October.

 

Councillor Bayliss said:  "When I became Mayor, I made one of my themes young people of the district along with raising the profile of the public and voluntary sector.  I am using Local Democracy Week as part of fulfilling that commitment.  In a recent survey, nearly half of councillors said they joined local government to make a difference.  If we don't talk to our young people we can't possibly begin to understand how we can make a difference to their lives.  But, equally, they have to understand how they fit in a democratic society and this is a great way of achieving both objectives."

 

 

Anyone interested in the design an election leaflet, attending the Job Shop on Thursday, 18 October at 6.30pm in the Council Offices, Crescent Gardens, or in the shadowing should contact either Kevin Douglas, Executive Director Department of Corporate Policy and Improvement on 01423 556705 or Lynne Mee, Communications and Media Manager on 556022.