Political Speed Dating
On the 18th January 2006, SAYC held their first Political Speed Dating event at the Council Chambers. The event was a light-hearted way to bridge the gap between young people and Councillors. Young people put Councillors under pressure as they grilled them on issues important to them for three minutes.
The evening successfully provided a forum for young people to engage in local democracy and speak directly to decision-makers.
Thanks to our host Big ‘D’ Mocracy and compere 'Marjory' AKA Ewan from Hemel Hospital Radio, the evening went smoothly, and Political Speed Dating rules were adhered to.
Each Councillor was known to the young people by a code name such as Cllr A or Cllr B, so that they would not be aware of any personal or party views. Councillors were awarded marks out of ten on the following qualities:-
- Approachability
- Listening skills
- Ability / willingness to understand issues
- Ability / willingness to answer specific questions
- How likely they were to vote for them
Cllr Tony Swendell and Cllr Chris Oxley scored mostly 9's and 10's with Cllr Swendell taking first prize and Cllr Oxley coming a very close second.
The reasons why they scored so well were that they were perceived to be "real" and to genuinely want to learn about young peoples’ opinions and views. They both came up with good ideas as to how to improve the District for young people. Cllr Swendell came up with a positive idea of a tram system to solve the problem caused by the lack of affordable and reliable public transport.
Laura Huckins, the Youth Council’s News Editor commented: "the general feedback was that the evening was a complete success and something we should definitely repeat as it gave young people the option to air their views and to find out what goes on at the Council".
The issues raised by young people at the event included:-
- poor public transport
- improvements needed to the road between the town centre and the Pioneer Youth Club such as: cut back foliage, increase street lighting, buses to go from meeting points to the club
- provide more venues for young people to meet in the town centre such as a late opening café or internet café
- improve the safety for students at different school sites
- improve the quality of bus passes which fall apart
St Albans Youth Council are collating all feedback from the councillors and young people involved in the event, and will report back to the district council on the main issues arising.
The event was covered by Three Counties Radio through a budding young reporter, Michelle Abrahams. Read her report of the evening: