Nottingham City Council will be celebrating Local Democracy Week 2008 with a number of events aimed at encouraging residents, particularly young people, to get more involved with the work of the council.

To mark the start of the eleventh Local Democracy Week, on Wednesday 15 October, city residents are invited to take part in a Neighbourhood Management day at the Council House. A play entitled ‘Don’t Suffer, Vote Now, Get involved’ will be performed outside the Council House at 10.30am and 2.30pm. Before each performance there will be a reading of Martin Luther King’s speech. Council staff will be dressed in period costume to commemorate women winning the fight on their right to vote.

Vox box videoing will take place in the council house foyer giving people the chance to talk about issues that matter to them. The recordings represent another way for councillors to listen to the views of residents.

During lunch, the ballroom will be open for people to visit a number of information displays, enjoy a free drink and speak to staff about council services and how they can get involved in decision making. Children’s entertainment will be provided courtesy of Iggle Piggle and Upsy Daisy with a photographer on hand to capture the moment.

From 4.30 – 7pm, young people and Members will come together at the Council House for ‘Young Nottingham Night’, an event aimed at developing a shared vision for Children and young people in each area of the city through workshops and discussion.

City Council Leader Councillor Jon Collins said: "We need to get young people more involved in and aware of their local Council. Local Democracy Week gives us an opportunity to do that but it's not just about young people and I think the various events and activities we've organised in the Council House and in local neighbourhoods will help us to engage with residents across the city."

On Saturday 18 October Nottingham City councillors swap surgeries for tea service when they open up a ‘café’ in the Old Market Square. The Councillors Café will run between 10am and 2pm, giving people working in the city centre and shoppers the chance to drop in for a cup of tea and chat with the people who run the city.

Women wanting to find out how they can make a difference to their neighbourhood and get involved in local decision making are invited to a special event, ‘Women in Politics’ on 17th October at Bramcote Lane Shops, Wollaton.

Regular councillor surgeries are held at city libraries where residents can pop in for an informal chat. Libraries are a valuable resource for information about government and democracy, queries can be sent to: enquiryline@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

For more information on any of the events taking place as part of Local Democracy Week please visit: www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk