Bracknell

Bracknell Forest residents have the chance to put their Council leader on the spot as part of the forthcoming Local Democracy Week.

Cllr Paul Bettison is to face his own personal question time during the event, which runs from October 13-17, when he will answer queries from Bracknell residents about the workings of the Council and its services.

The questions and answers will be published on a dedicated Council web page during the week and anyone wanting to quiz Cllr Bettison can submit their questions from Monday (October 6) by following the link www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/asktheleader

The information on the page will also offer guidance on the kinds of questions Cllr Bettison will be able to tackle and those that might be passed to an appropriate Council department.

Local Democracy Week is organised by the Local Government Association. It aims to work with young people to increase their understanding of community issues and the importance of making their voices heard.

Youngsters at Whitegrove Primary School, in Westmorland Drive, Bracknell will be speaking up when Year Six pupils take part in a 'political speed dating' event on Wednesday, October 15. The 10 and 11-year-olds will meet councillors in small groups and talk for a few minutes about the things that matter to them, before moving on to the next table.

Cllr Bettison said: "It is important we work with everyone, but in particular our young people, to make sure they understand the important decisions that are being made about their day-to-day lives by councils and how they can influence these decisions."

Bracknell Forest Council