17 OCTOBER 2006 - THERE will 1284 candidates and election promises including £50 discounts in shops, boys' only shops, bigger roads, banning of 4 x 4s, one free year's council tax, tidier buses and so much more as voting in Harrogate Borough Council's 2006 election leaflet competition for schools gets underway. 

 

Sadly, most of these election promises won't become a reality and many of the 'candidates' won't get elected but this year's competition being held as part of Local Democracy Week 16/23 October has certainly been successful with more entries and more schools than ever taking part.

 

The competition is designed to take in the citizenship element of the school curriculum and, as well as the election leaflet competition, local councillors have been out and about visiting schools to talk about community and civic life.

 

Borough Mayor, Councillor Geoff Webber, has been visiting schools right around the district and as well as donning his Mayoral robes and hat, he has also taken out a dressing up box to explain to the children just what sort of services their council tax pays for.  He said:  "It has been a lot of fun but with a very serious message for these young children. In fact, I was amazed at just how much they knew already.  Particularly the need to recycle more and how we as a council should support them.  They also had quite a lot to say about speeding traffic and how the council should be doing more to stop it." 

 

The two age group winners - to be announced early December - will be going to London to visit the House of Commons and meet their local MP.  ENDS