16/10/03 - Developing youth democracy across Allerdale

On Friday 17thOctober at 1pm at St Michaels Church in Workington, Cumbria County Council’s Local Committee for Allerdale will consider, during Youth Democracy Week, a proposal to support setting up Youth Forums in North Allerdale, Maryport, Cockermouth and Keswick as part of their ongoing commitment to services to young people in Allerdale.

Local Democracy Week runs from Monday 13thOctober until Sunday 19thOctober.  Due to the falling interest in local politics and declining turnout for elections both nationally and locally, the Local Government Association are encouraging all Local Councils to take part in the Week to involve the young people of their own area in planning their services, the decision making process and help them develop an interest in politics.

County Councillor Barbara Cannon, Chair of the Local Committee says

“One of our priorities this year includes supporting youth democracy initiatives. Young peoples’ views and ideas are very important and their involvement with the Council’s and other public bodies plans and programmes will strengthen local democracy.  We are now looking at ways to bring young people into the work of Neighbourhood Forums.  When organisations are spending public money, especially on young peoples’ initiatives, it is vitally important that we find ways of involving young people in the public services decisions that affect them.”