The four guides include:-

• Sending the councillor back to school – for councillors and councils.
• Getting the most out of your council chamber – for councillors and councils.
• Bringing democracy to the classroom – a wide range of lesson ideas for citizenship teachers.
• Introducing young people to local politics – for those working with young people outside school.

The Local Democracy Campaign is about getting young people more involved with, and more aware of, their local council. Currently, just a quarter of 11-16 year-olds believe that their local councillor is the best person to approach in order to change something in their community.

When asked who they respect most outside their family, only one per cent chose politicians. Research for the LGA by Ipsos MORI also shows that just one in three 11-16 year-olds have ever met a councillor or MP, and states that those who have ‘are more likely to express feelings of political engagement and interest.’

Ahead of Local Democracy Week, Cllr Les Lawrence, Chair of the Children and Young People Board of the Local Government Association, said:

“Young people are very involved in single issue politics, but politicians have yet to turn this into a passion for democracy. These guides have been produced to help councils and teachers translate young people’s enthusiasm in political issues into the politicians of tomorrow.

“There has been a long term downward trend of young people not getting involved in politics and yet there is clearly a passion for them to want to make a difference. Local Democracy Week is about turning the passion of change into the passion of politics.

“Politicians from all political parties must raise their game to help get young people understand and get involved in their local area so that democracy can remain fit and healthy.”

For more information about events taking place during Local Democracy Week visit www.localdemocracy.org.uk

South Tyneside Council have a range of events happening during the week – read more.