By Sarah Robinson

Last updated 14:33, Thursday, 30 October 2008

BRANSTY School council’s pupils have been finding out about Copeland Council and the mayor’s duties, as part of Local Democracy Week.

Copeland mayor Keith Hitchen and his wife, Freda, had tea with members of the new Bransty School council.

The event was held to celebrate the school’s newly-formed council and to mark the week which aims to make young people more involved with their council.

The school council has 10 members, ranging from reception age up to Year 6. All members were voted in by fellow pupils. The school council also plans to elect its own mayor.

Joanne Fearon, deputy head teacher at Bransty School, said: “We had our own voting in school.

“It’s all about giving our children a voice and letting them know what they can do on their own school council. The kids have come up with some really good ideas so far.

“The reason why we invited the mayor was for the children to be aware of his duties and to take that further in school, with a pupil being elected as ‘school mayor’.”

The youngsters also met Coun Hugh Branney, who is Copeland’s portfolio holder for children and young people.

The mayor had earlier been to visit the school itself and explain how local councils work.

Coun Hitchen said: “It’s encouraging to see these children genuinely interested in local government, and also to see them confidently expressing opinions about their own school.

“They plan to elect a mayor themselves, and I have offered to take that pupil out for a day to see my own mayoral duties.”

Coun Branney said: “Local Democracy Week is a great opportunity to engage with young people more.

“No doubt local government can sometimes seem a little dry, but it’s vitally important that we inspire younger people so they’ll want to take over the reins.”