Councillors listen to next generation

From the Echo, first published Monday 20th Oct 2003.

SKATE parks and live music were top of the wish list for young people in East Dorset when they joined in a district council debate on spending for youth facilities.

A total of 46 young people attended the council chamber at Furzehill as part of Local Democracy Week's theme, Listening to Tomorrow's Voters Today.

Among their other requests was affordable local transport, additional youth centres, trips out of the area, shops aimed at younger people and improved sports facilities.

They also asked for older people to be educated about youth issues as many felt older members of the community were out of touch with youth

culture.

The special evening debate was organised by district councillor Toni Combs.

She said: "The energetic way in which the young people present got involved in the debate on how to spend the council's youth funds shows that they have very strong views on the issues that affect them.

"Their priorities were made very clear and also that they should have a say in those decisions. The challenge for the council will be to act on the views represented."

The evening used a computer program similar to that used by the audience in Who Wants to Be A Millionaire which enabled youngsters to vote on a series of proposals and instantly see how their peers voted.

The decisions taken by the meeting will be debated further at the East Dorset Youth Forum meeting which will also be held in the council chamber tomorrow at 6pm.

East Dorset District Council chairman Ann Warman said: "It is important that young people understand the workings of local government and if we can catch their imagination with events such as this then hopefully they will retain an interest and use their democratic right to vote when the time comes."

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