PUPILS from Hampshire schools visited the county council’s headquarters to take part in the latest Hampshire County Youth Conference to mark Local Democracy Week.

The conference was an opportunity for young people to come together to discuss local issues, and directly question decision-makers on the matters that are important to them.

The event was organised with the support of Hampshire’s Members of Youth Parliament, and was chaired by the county council’s Youth Voice representatives.

With the help of Hampshire county councillors, pupils participated in a range of workshops designed to show them what the county council does, how it works, and how the democratic processes can be mirrored in their own school councils.

The students also participated in a mock scrutiny committee, chaired by the Hampshire County Council leader Councillor Roy Perry.

Representatives from the schools panelled their ideas for school projects, which included a ‘Prom Points’ rewards scheme, and a fundraising initiative to save a local youth club from closure, before tackling tough questions from the committee about how these projects could work in practice.

Cllr Perry said: “It is extremely important that we communicate well with Hampshire’s young people. Through our close work with local members of the Youth Parliament and our Youth Voice representatives, we are already helping to ensure the voices of young people are heard in Hampshire, and that their views can help us to shape and deliver high-quality services.”

The conference also launched a new campaign by Hampshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Hayes – called ‘Be Part of the Solution’.

The scheme seeks to improve outcomes for young people by encouraging them to make informed decisions that improve their wellbeing, and the wellbeing of those around them.