Question Time 2008
Over 80 young people (aged 13-18 years) from six local schools attended a Question Time session in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall in Reigate.
It was Question Time for a panel consisting of a Councillor and community representatives on Wednesday, 5 November 2008, when students from around the borough got the chance to quiz them about local issues. 
The event at the Town Hall, Reigate, to promote Local Democracy was organised to give young people a taste of local politics.
Over 80 students from Reigate School and Dunottar School in Reigate, The Beacon School, Banstead, Oakwood School in Horley and St Bede’s School and The Warwick School in Redhill, posed questions to the group of panellists, in a “Question Time” style debate, on a range of issues including:
- leisure facilities in the Borough
- how the media portray young people
- crime
- Gatwick - an extra runway and concerns for the local area
- how can young people become more engaged with their local environment?
- are there plans for police stations to be open longer during the day?
- glass and plastic recycling from the doorstep
- building new homes on the Horley flood plain
- public transport concerns
- Icelandic bank investment of local government funds nationwide
- higher turnout for elections and creating a positive interest in politics.
Giving their opinions on the topics posed were Jonathan Batty (Surrey County Cricket wicketkeeper), Councillor Adam de Save (Executive Member for Leisure and Wellbeing), Fred Marden (BBC Southern Counties Radio), Chief Inspector Sharon Bush (Neighbourhood Team) and Des Shepherd (Manager of Reigate and Banstead Council for Voluntary Services).
The debate was chaired by Nicholas Owen from the BBC.
Date: Wednesday 5 November 2008.
Venue: New Council Chamber, Town Hall, Reigate.
Photos taken at the event
Leader of the Council Councillor Mrs Spiers talks to school children at the local democracy event
School children voting
The Mayor speaking at the event
The panel being questioned
Last updated : 27/11/2008
