A host of activities are being held in Local Democracy Week giving you the opportunity to ask questions, feel heard and understand how decisions are made.

As part of this national event, you can increase your knowledge and understanding of local democracy at events across St Albans City and District.

The week of initiatives will run from 15 to 21 October 2012 and are aimed at involving everyone in the community, young and old.

The programme includes:

• A series of Question Panel events. Pupils from six local schools will quiz councillors from St Albans City and District Council on a wide range of topics covering local and national issues.
• An ‘Any Questions’ event on 19 October at 7pm in the Council Chamber at the Council’s offices in the Civic Centre, St Peter’s Street, St Albans. A panel comprising District councillors and representatives from older and younger communities will answer questions around key themes. You can submit questions ahead of the event by emailing nicky.flynn@stalbans.gov.uk. The event will be broadcast by Radio Verulam and free tickets can be booked at the Reception Desk at the Council Offices or at http://anyquestionsldw.eventbrite.com/.
• A Democracy Wall of ideas. A-level Citizenship Students from Oaklands College will be asking people what they would do if they were Councillor or Mayor for a day. The comments will then be added to a display board. One event will be held at Sainsbury’s in Harpenden on Tuesday 16 October, from 12 to 2pm. Another will follow at St Albans Market on Wednesday 17 October, from 10 to 2pm. The Democracy Wall will be displayed at the Any Questions event on 19 October.
• The prize winner of a Meet the Mayor Competition for primary schools will take tea with the Mayor in the Mayor’s Parlour. Pupils were asked to draw a picture showing what they would do if they were Prime Minister for the day. The Mayor selected her favourite entry created by Yena Choi of Grove Junior School. She wins tea with the Mayor and a book token. Runner-up Harry Field of St Helen’s School will also receive a book token.

These initiatives form part of the Council’s Getting Involved programme which aims to engage and encourage local people to take part in projects that promote active citizenship. The projects are aimed at developing people’s skills, confidence and opportunities so that they can take a more active role in the community.