Local Democracy Week 2009

As you click through this site you will realise that our core activity is to influence South Norfolk Council. We do this by meeting with managers and Councillors and telling them how we feel about different issues.
Last year we held consultations with
Beth Coley - Sports Development officer
Simon Marjoram and Kim Woodhouse- Planning Department
Georgina Hurst – Neighbourhood Manager
Tanya Tifford and Melanie Forrer -
Laura Woolicott and Sonia Bright – THEC
Katrina Buckle-
Tim Mobbs –Executive Director
Stephen Beasson and James Naunton- Finance Department
We speak on a regular basis with departments and organisations that want to gather young people’s opinions.

SNYA speak to Tim Mobbs Executive Director of SNC

Each year we plan, organise and deliver Local Democracy Week. Last year we sent Councillors to schools to talk about what they do and encourage more young people to become actively involved within their community.
We invite schools to attend our open days and put on exhibitions and workshops at South Norfolk House.
Last years Local Democracy Week saw us hold question time with the leader of the council, the Executive Directors and heads of departments. We interviewed several artists before finally selecting an acting workshop called 'Representing Others'. The Norwich and Norfolk Racial Equalities Council presented a fantastic workshop on 'Romany Travellers' and we designed and delivered two workshops ourselves based on 'Young people as police trainers' and ‘Go-Elephant’ a community arts project we were involved in during last summer. As a prize we gave away a large fibre glass elephant to the winning school. During lunch we entertained our guests with a ‘Blues Brothers’ concert sang and danced by members of SNYA on the roof garden of South Norfolk House.

Although, last year members of the public hijacked our work, with false accusations, to protest against gypsies we will not be deterred and will continue to promote the United Nations - Convention on the Rights of the Child

A great deal of planning goes into making Local Democracy Week the success it is and although it does not take place until 12th October- 18th October we start our first initial discussion/planning meeting on 21st April. If you want to make a difference in South Norfolk then this could be the opportunity for you. However, not everyone will thank you for it.