Celebration of democracy set to begin...and No we don't mean the General Election either!

Interest in a general election may be over, but South Norfolk Councillors and young people are queuing to take part in another big celebration of democracy: Local Democracy Week.

Just under 100 young people from schools across South Norfolk are now signing up for political speed dating, life swapping and Take Your Councillor to School days.

Wymondham High School, Wymondham College, Long Stratton High, Archbishop Sancroft High in Harleston, Hethersett High and Costessey High are taking part in the two days of fun on Thursday and Friday 18 and 19 October.

The council is also preparing for interest from more young people this time at Framingham Earl High School, Hobart High and Easton College

South Norfolk Council Leader John Fuller, who is also joining in, believes these are exciting times for democracy and that Councillors who reach across the generations to the voters of tomorrow are surfing a wave of renewed interest in politics.

He said:

"Democracy is too important to be left to other people. Everybody should feel they can have their say because politics is no longer for the rich and retired.

“Councillors come from all walks of life. That’s the way it should be and that’s the way it now is at South Norfolk Council."

His administration has three of the youngest Councillors in the county - Claire Turner who represents Newton Flotman ward, William Kemp who represents Thurlton and Michelle Monck who represents Tasburgh – all in their twenties.

He urged potential council election candidates to apply to him online. Councillor Michelle Monck did that and now leads the council's eGovernment and Multi Media Communications Group.

His party manifesto was also broadcast on YouTube and throughout his campaign he kept up a fast-moving and hard-hitting political blog.

Councillor Margaret Dewsbury, who is the council's champion for young people has been a key part of the organisation of this year's events. She said:

"We want young people to realise that councillors are ordinary, everyday people who are approachable and who welcome the views of local residents whatever their age.

“And who knows? This experience might influence their future careers either as politicians or as local council officers. Both are capable of making a big difference to people’s lives.”

To date –

10 Councillors are taking part in 'Take Your Councillor to School' day, which is on October 15th

11 Councillors are Political Speed Dating on Thursday 18th October

14 Councillors are speed dating on Friday 19th October, and a further 13 are taking part in Life Swap.

Life Swap - this is where Councillors and young people record a day in their lives from the moment they get up. Twenty-four pictures are taken over a 12-hour period. When these are published on the Internet, visitors will be able to compare councillors and the young peoples lives.

Political Speed Dating – Councillors will sit in a circle facing outwards, young people will sit opposite facing inwards, when the gong is sounded the young people will have the opportunity to ask almost any question that they like of the councillor.

When the gong is sounded again, the councillors will get to their feet and move to the next young person and it all starts again. The councillors will be marked on approachability, listening skills, understanding the issues and actually answering the question.

At the end of the event, these marks will be totalled to show who was the 'ideal date'.

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