On Friday, 9 March 2007, children as young as 10 years of age will be grilling senior managers and officers from the London Borough of Merton in a bid to find out how safe the streets of Merton really are. The young people will also discuss what areas need to be improved upon to help them feel more secure in the borough.
This meeting, minuted and chaired by pupils from Merton’s primary schools, is the quarterly sitting of Merton’s Children’s Council. Its purpose is to give children the platform to voice their opinions freely on issues that affect their generation.
“It is important that young people get the chance to question us about issues that concern them. It will raise awareness of their aspirations and fears and help us understand their needs,” explains Tracy Riccio, organiser and Healthy Schools Coordinator at Aragon Primary School.
Cabinet Member for School Standards & Youth Engagements, Councillor Oonagh Moulton, said: ”we are committed to listening to children and young people in the borough. Merton’s Children’s Council is an important way for children to have a clear voice on issues that affect them. I would encourage as many as of them to participate through their school councils as possible.”
This meeting will be especially pertinent as many of the children involved will be starting secondary school in September, and starting to travel to and from school on their own.
For further information, please contact 0208 545 3327