"I'd urge young people in and around the Leek area to come along and have their say on July 23rd.  This is a real opportunity for youngsters to come forward and pitch questions about issues important to them." Joseph Sullivan.

Young people invited to have their say

16-year-old Joseph Sullivan serves the North Division which covers the Staffordshire Moorlands and Newcastle area. The Painsley College student is one of six representatives sitting on the panel at the event at Westwood Golf Club on July 23^rd.

It's the county council's very own version of Question Time and gives the audience the chance to ask the questions they want answering.

ITV's Central News presenter Bob Warman is the host. It's the first time a member of the Youth Parliament has sat on the panel.

Joseph who is also Chair of the Youth Action Kouncil said: "I'm really grateful that I have been given the opportunity to become involved in an event like this. It's vitally important that young people are heard and listened to and it's at events like this that they get their chance. I'd urge young people in and around the Leek area to come along and have their say on July 23^rd.  This is a real opportunity for youngsters to come forward and pitch questions about issues important to them. Politicians and organisations like the county council can't shape services and deliver want youngsters want if they don't hear what they have to say first."

The whole panel consists of:

• Deputy Leader, County Councillor Robert Simpson
• Leek South County Councillor Neal Podmore
• Leek Rural County Councillor Gill Heath
• Biddulph South and Endon County Councillor Christina Jebb
• Member of the UK Youth Parliament - representing the North Division (Newcastle and Staffordshire Moorlands) 16-year-old Joseph Sullivan
• Corporate Director for Children and Lifelong Learning Peter Traves

At each event, the panel will consist of a Cabinet representative, local members, and a senior officer from the county council. For the first time there will also be a member of the UK Youth Parliament sitting on the panel. After the event, there will be a chance to meet and mingle with the panel and enjoy some light refreshments. 

The actual question session will last around 90-minutes and will start from 7pm. Those attending are asked to start arriving from 6:30pm.  Members of the panel will not have sight of any questions to be asked beforehand. Places are limited so tickets will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

The county council's Deputy Leader Robert Simpson said: "It's fantastic that Joseph is sitting on the panel at the Leek event. It gives him a real opportunity to get directly involved and listen to the questions that local people want answering but to also to help give a response from a young person's perspective.

Not only that but this is also gives young people in the Leek area a real chance to raise questions on any burning issues facing them. Whether it's about education, transport or youth provision we want to hear what they have to say so we are given the chance to respond accordingly."

If you would like to attend the event please email us at question.time@staffordshire.gov.uk or telephone 01785 276817 before July 21^st.