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If you want to start to build up your knowledge about how politics works in your county, then our Introduction to Local Government is for you! The next course will commence in Autumn 2023 and runs over two weeks. Please read on for more details on the various topics which are covered in this course.
Next Course
A new series of workshops will commence in Autumn 2023. Please get in touch to find out more.
Week 1
We begin with active citizenship. It is a phrase we hear a lot about, but what does it actually mean? In 2007 we had a Taskforce on Active Citizenship which told us it was largely about volunteering and being engaged in our communities. But this definition doesn’t really see us having a say in what goes on, or being part of any kind of change. We explore a wider definition of active citizenship that allows us to do just that. We look at the opportunities for active citizens to become part of the decision-making structures in county councils, and how that can happen to allow better decisions to be made without necessarily ever running for election.
Week 2
In the second class we start to try and understand the purpose, structure and function of a council. We look at the relationship between the elected county councillors and the people who work as executives in the council, as well as who has power to do what.
We also examine the job and remuneration of the county/city councillor. We look at the gender breakdown of councillors, and work through the latest research on the barriers that women face in running for council elections.
