DORCHESTER: Teens get to grips with district council

Teenagers Adam Harris, 15, Anthony Coleman, 13, and Adam Kerslake, 14, who are all from Dorchester, were taking part in the new government funded Local Councillor Shadowing Programme.

For 25 hours over six weeks they accompanied four district councillors on a host of activities including a tour to see West Dorset District Council’s work on coastal protection at West Bay and Lyme Regis.

They also met with a Young Person’s Housing Advice Officer to learn about the difficulties some young people have in getting accommodation, and visited the Thomas Hardye Leisure Centre in Dorchester to see the site of the proposed new swimming pool.

They were treated to a tour round the Old Crown Court at the district council’s headquarters in Stratton House, Dorchester, by a Blue Badge guide and got the chance to sit in on a full council meeting to see important decisions like levels of council tax for 2010/11 being made.

The programme was led by The Youth of Today – a consortium of leading youth organisations working together to increase the quality, quantity and diversity of opportunities for young people as leaders of change in their communities.

The shadowing programme is aimed at giving young people knowledge and skills to encourage them to get involved in local democracy and help them influence decision making. It also provides the chance for young people to challenge some of the negative media stereotypes which they often face.

The councillors being “shadowed” are: Janet Page (Beaminster), Mary Penfold (Frome Valley), Molly Rennie (Dorchester South) and Caroline Payne (Beaminster).

West Dorset District Council Leader Robert Gould said: “The council’s involvement in this programme is a tremendous demonstration of its commitment to helping young people to develop their leadership skills.

“By participating, these young people have been given a unique insight into the workings of local government and as a result have taken a step closer to the democratic process which affects so much of their daily lives.”

The young people said shadowing the councillors has made them think more about voting in the future.

Adam Kerslake said: “Being able to follow the councillors has enlightened me about their daily routine and the jobs they do in the community.

“Councillors are now people in my eyes and are definitely approachable.”

Adam Harris said: “The most interesting part of the project was the coastal tour because it gave me an insight into how much work the council does to protect the coast and how much it costs.”

Anthony said: “Before I did this project I thought that all councillors were posh and arrogant but I found the activities fun. Taking part in the project has given me good work experience and given me more ideas about what I would like to do in the future.”

Councillor Molly Rennie said: “It has been rewarding for us to be involved in this project to encourage these youngsters to question our role and the role of the council - it has been fun, as well as a great learning experience for me.”

Councillor Penfold said: “The project has given us an insight into the aspirations of young people and their perception of the work we do and one I feel that we have all enjoyed.”

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