Local Democracy Week 2023 – celebrating active citizens
We are marking Local Democracy Week 2023 with a programme of activities and events for citizens, schools, community groups and council staff.
Local Democracy Week (9th to 15th October) is an annual celebration of the difference that people are making in local places across Kirklees, as active citizens. The aim is to help more people get involved in their community, to learn about local democracy and to have a voice in the decisions that matter for our everyday lives. Activities in Kirklees are taking place throughout October.
Making a difference in your community – tell us how you feel
We want to hear how you feel about getting involved in your community. By sharing your experience, you’ll be helping us understand what’s helped you to get involved (or what’s got in your way). You can also share your ideas about what you think would help more people to get involved.
There are three ways to take part:
- Fill in our quick online scorecard and add your comments:
Tell us how you feel – take part online - Request a printed Conversation Pack – we have packs available for local groups, schools, councillors and staff:
Request a Conversation Pack - Share your story about how you got involved in your community – fill in our step-by-step online form, or chat to us via phone:
Share your story
These activities are part of Shaped by People – a shared goal created by our citizens, which says that everyone should be able to get involved in shaping their local place.
Take part in community events
Our Local Democracy Week programme highlights the latest events from some of the ongoing How Good Is Our Place? activities. These involve communities learning what matters most to people about life in their local area and acting together on the changes that people want to see. The council’s Democracy Service supports these activities in local places throughout the year.
Community-led events include ‘Marsden of the Future’ on 17th October from 7pm at Marsden Mechanics. Organised by Marsden Community Trust, this event will introduce the next chapter in the exciting story of how Marsden people are shaping their own place.
There are helpful sessions and networking opportunities on offer for community groups, organised by local charity TSL Kirklees.
Activities for young citizens are also taking place, as part of our pioneering Democracy Friendly Schools programme. This free programme, which is open to all schools in Kirklees, supports children and young people to learn about – and get involved in – local democracy and civic life.
The Mayor of Kirklees, Cllr Cahal Burke, is inviting primary schools to a special ‘Meet the Mayor’ event on 26th October from 10am to 11am at Dewsbury Town Hall.
Council staff are also being encouraged to participate in new training about working with councillors, to volunteer with local groups, and to talk with citizens about what helps people to get involved in shaping their local place.
Cllr Cathy Scott, Leader of Kirklees Council and Cabinet lead for Democracy, said:
“Local Democracy Week is one way of recognising the difference that people are making every day in their community. By enabling more people to get involved in shaping their local place, we can grow stronger neighbourhoods and communities. In challenging times, it really matters for people’s wellbeing and sense of influence that we keep on working to create a stronger local democracy, which more people are actively participating in. Everyone who takes a few minutes to share their experiences will be helping us understand what would help more people to get involved.”
See the full Local Democracy Week programme
You can also follow what’s happening via @kirkdemocracy during October.