Have your say! Local Democracy week comes to Southampton

Southampton residents are being urged to debate all the big issues during Local Democracy Week this week (October 11-17).

As part of the national week, Southampton City Council is hosting two events which will give residents the chance to speak directly to the city's top leaders about the issues that matter to them.

Councillor Royston Smith, Leader of the Council, said: "For too long now, people have felt disengaged from politics. However, the message I want people to get is that politics is about giving our residents a say about the issues that matter to them.

"We must do all we can to get our residents and our youth engaged in how they want the city and ultimately their country to be run.

"There are some fantastic opportunities this week for residents to debate the issues, which can include anything from their opinions on Government policy, to how their bins are collected."

The first city event is on Tuesday, October 12 from 5pm-8pm in Central Library when councillors and representatives from council services and partners who will be on hand to answer your questions and tell you how you can get involved and have a say in your communities. During the "Get Involved" event there will be a public debate called "Democracy - for better or worse?", focusing on the decisions the coalition Government are making and how this will affect local democracy.

The debate is from 6pm-7pm and is free for members of public to attend. It will feature councillors and academics, with an audience of local residents. Residents will get the chance to pose their own questions, give their views and get involved.

Then, on Thursday, October 14, Southampton City Youth Parliament will hold their first ever Question Time event for young people in the Council Chamber of the Civic Centre. Armed with questions from schools and youngsters across the city they will fire questions at a panel hosted by the city's young mayor and includes council directors, a local councillor, a police chief, a radio presenter from AWAAZ FM, and Southampton's UK Youth Parliament MP Nathan Stafford King.

Children and schools have been invited to attend.

The Question Time debate will be streamed live on AWAAZ on 87.7FM, who will also be attending Tuesday's Get Involved event.

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