Question time...

Photo: Darren Robinson

WORKING together for a better Oldham . . . members of Oldham Youth Council with (from left) Neil Consterdine (head of integrated youth services), Tim Mitchell (Positive Steps chief executive), Jill Beaumont (assistant director of family and youth support), Michael Jameson (director of childrens services) and Chief Supt Tim Forber (head of Oldham Police).

SAVVY teenagers descended on the council chambers to quiz Oldham’s top political figures on key issues.

Members of Oldham Youth Council got the chance to put their views across as part of Local Democracy Week.

Teeangers tackled subjects such as drugs and alcohol abuse, youth crime, the lack of leisure facilities in the borough, the impact of spending cuts on youth projects and the future jobs market for their generation.

They also asked questions about the recent council jobs cuts, the new academies, hate crime and gang culture. Oldham Council chief executive Charlie Parker, who along with Councillor Jack Hulme took part in the second half of the two-hour session after being delayed by an earlier meeting, praised the youngsters for their efforts and told them they were the future of the borough and that their positive attitude would be vital in helping reshape Oldham for the better.

As part of the special week, the council organised a series of roadshows and events to give residents the chance to have their say about the way the local authority is run.

Police joined councillors at roadshows across the borough to speak to as many people as possible.