Pupil politicians take over Arun’s council chamber

Young delegates from primary schools across the area gathered for this year’s Arun Youth Council junior debates organised by the council and Arun Youth Council.

Children from the River Beach Primary School, White Meadows Primary Academy, Climping’s St Mary’s CE Primary School, Summerlea CP School, Arundel CE Primary School and St Philip’s Catholic School, in Arundel, all took part.

The event was held in the Arun Civic Centre’s council chamber, in Maltravers Road, Littlehampton, and was overseen by Arun youth councillors and the Littlehampton Academy’s community liaison manager, Sarah Hopkins.

The pupils debated this year’s topic, which questioned whether all children should attend the school nearest their home to encourage walking or cycling. All the pupils voted against the idea of having to go to the nearest school.

Councillor Paul Wother-
spoon, cabinet member for community services said: “This event always proves to be a lot of fun but at the same time it gives younger children the opportunity to see how democracy works and how decisions about local issues are made and they never fail to impress with their insightful views and strong opinions.”