Councillors' Question Time
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Bracknell Forest Council are always looking for ways to engage with people who live, work and learn in the Borough. The views and opinions of local people play an important part in shaping the services provided by the Council. Participating in local democracy is an efficient, effective way of influencing what happens to you, your neighbours and your community.
To engage with students on local democracy a Councillors’ Question Time event was held on the 16th October as part of Local Democracy Week. The event was designed to allow young people an opportunity to ask Councillors about local issues that were important to them.
The event was opened by Councillor Bettison, Leader of Bracknell Forest Council and was chaired by Youth Parliament representative Mike Carne.
30 students from Bracknell & Wokingham College, Edgbarrow School, Garth Hill College and Ranelagh School attended the event to question a panel of 4 Councillors. The panel members were Councillors Beadsley, Mrs Birch, Kendall and Wade.
Students were given the chance to ask their question and received a response from the panel. The students were then given the opportunity to ask any supplementary questions resulting from the Councillors’ answer.
Questions asked included:
- What is happening at the present time to help young people in the local area become more aware of local politics?
- At a time of reduced finances what services are a priority to preserve funding for?
- Many argue that the ‘First Past the Post’ system of voting is out of date. What are the panel’s views on changing the voting system for local elections?
- Is it possible for a local councillor to have a full time job and still fulfil the role of a councillor successfully?
- What more could be done for students and young people for leisure purposes in Bracknell Forest?
- When the legal age of education is changed to 18 what are you going to do to provide facilities and courses for everyone to take part?
- What is the council doing to improve road safety in the Bracknell Forest area; and in particular what is being done to improve the safety of those who are deemed to be at ‘high’ risk (10-25 year olds)?
- Should more power be devolved to local authorities from central government?
- Do you think that too much public money is being spent on helping teenagers in organisations such as ‘Connexions’ or do you think it is money well spent?
Media Studies students from Bracknell and Wokingham College filmed the event and will be producing a 10 minute video which will be posted on the Council’s YouTube channel once available.
If you would like further information on this event or would like to be involved in future events to promote local democracy then please contact Democratic Services at Bracknell Forest Council on 01344 352281.
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