Pupils from a school in Fazeley have become councillors for the morning.
The year six students from Millfield School were taking part in Staffordshire’s County Council’s Local Democracy Week.
Their visit to the council chambers in Tamworth saw them become decision makers about how much money different public services should get as they formed into three teams and prepared budgets for areas such as policing, social care and health, transport, leisure and education.
A series of debates then took place where the teams made speeches on the decisions made, before a secret vote decided the best budget plans.
Matthew Ellis, Lichfield Rural East’s county councillor, ran the session and said: “I always enjoy the local democracy events I do each year.
“It’s a good way to help youngsters understand how difficult decisions are made on public services and also the importance of sensible discussion. It really is great fun and Millfield were quite exceptional.
“Their knowledge of the services and ability to understand how spending less or more on one has a knock on effect to others was amazing.”
Bev Sallis from Millfield School said she was thrilled that the children were so engaged and displayed such enthusiasm.
“This was an excellent morning which the children clearly found stimulating,” she said. “It was fascinating to see so many who aren’t normally the most vocal really making their views known.
“The reality of deciding whether more policemen or leisure facilities were needed instead of health services or buses made them think long and hard and their reasoning for decisions was impressive.”
Cllr Ellis is keen for even more schools to take part and believes that understanding how democracy works and decisions are made is helpful as youngsters get older.
He said: “The fact that people disagree about issues but can negotiate and debate their way to some sort of agreement in a sensible way is a powerful message.
“The quality and clarity of some of the speeches was way beyond their years and it was very clear indeed that the school had prepared them exceptionally well before the day.
“They were a genuine credit to Millfield School, parents and staff.”
