SECONDARY school students have visited Basingstoke’s civic offices to learn more about democracy and politics.

Members of Cranbourne Business and Enterprise College’s (CBEC) student voice visited the home of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC), in London Road, on October 12 as part of Local Democracy week.

On arrival, students and members of staff from CBEC were taken up to the Mayor’s Parlour, where they met the current mayor and mayoress of Basingstoke and Dean, Councillors Paul and Jane Frankum.

Cllr Paul Frankum talked to students about the role of the mayor and local politics, with some focus on the need for an increase in female representation in politics at a local level.

Year 9 student Matthew Rogers-Mitchell said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the trip and meeting the mayor was really cool, I learnt a lot about democracy and politics.”

Students were also given the opportunity to ask questions, which they took full advantage of, before a quick drink and a chance to see photos of past mayors and memorabilia.

Mayoress of Basingstoke and Deane, Cllr Jane Frankum said: “These are the best students for asking questions in my time as mayor, deputy mayor and mayoress, no other students have asked such good questions as these Cranbourne students.”

Once in the council chambers, BDBC cabinet member for communities and community safety, Cllr Simon Bound gave the students more information regarding local government with students and staff taking part in a live debate regarding changing the voting age.

An overwhelming majority voted to lower the age to 16-years-old in the debate after which students were, again, given the opportunity to ask more in-depth questions.

The student voice at CBEC is proactive in working on a number of projects to help improve life at CBEC for all students.

This half term, projects have ranged from healthy canteen food, toilet refurbishment, feedback for improvements to the reward system and being ambassadors at the schools’ annual open evening.

School staff hope the trip to the civic offices has inspired the students who attended to continue their student voice work for the rest of the academic year.