Local Democracy through Citizenship

The following resources have been designed to help you deliver the local democracy area of the citizenship curriculum. Everything contained within these web pages has been designed and produced by an ex-teacher to offer you some support in delivering what can be a confusing subject matter. Along with ideas for activities and lessons, there is a teacher's pack to guide you through the whole process and to provide additional information.

These resources are designed to be completely flexible, and can be used in any order or way that you wish. Their purpose is to increase the general levels of understanding and interest of young people in local democracy. Through using these resources, young people will learn more about the city in which they live, what Southampton City Council does, and how decisions are made at the council. They will also be given the opportunity to meet a local councillor and present any concerns that they have about the city.

National research suggests that only 11% of eligible younger people (aged 18 - 24) vote in local elections, and many are not aware of who their local councillor is. It is hoped that this information will help to inform young people about local politics and increase their interest and involvement with local democracy throughout their lives.

All resources contained within these pages are designed to be printed and photocopied for use with pupils.

The resources have already been sent to the citizenship co-ordinator in all primary, junior and secondary schools within Southampton on a CD-Rom.

I do hope that you will find these pages useful. If you require any further information about the pack, Southampton city councillors or about Southampton City Council, or if you have any suggestions on ways in which the information contained within these web pages could be improved, please do not hesitate to contact the Members Services Team:

Members Services
Southampton City Council
Civic Centre
Southampton
SO14 7LY

Tel: 023 8083 2035

Email: member.services@southampton.gov.uk

Resources

Section 1: Where do we live?

This section aims to get pupils to think about the 'bigger picture'. It focuses on the city in which they live - Southampton - and what they know about it

Section 2: Who runs things in our city?

This section explains what Southampton City Council is responsible for within the city and some of the other organisations who manage aspects of our city. It also looks at how Southampton City Council is funded

Section 3: Local democracy - how are decisions made?

This section helps to explain the concept of 'democracy', who makes the decisions in our city and how they are made. It also explains who councillors are and what they do and it encourages pupils to think about the qualities that they believe a good councillor should have

Section 4: Debating skills

This section uses a current or imaginery scenario to help pupils to learn about debating skills.

Section 5: How can I have an impact?

This section is all about getting young people to actively participate in the democratic process. It explains how they can make their voice heard and be part of the local decision-making process

Section 6: Meet a local councillor

In this final section the young people get the chance to meet a local councillor and have the opportunity to ask them questions about their role and to present any issues that are of concern to them. It offers some 'reality' to the theoretical work that they have been doing