Pupils give their views on council budget

MORE than 80 young people have had their say about Swansea Council’s latest budget proposals at a special event for secondary schools.

Pupils representing 12 comprehensive schools across the city gathered at Bishop Vaughan Catholic School where they examined the plans and then asked questions and delivered their own opinions and ideas.

Their views will now be taken into account as part of the wider budget consultation that closes on Friday (Jan 26).

Cllr Jennifer Raynor, Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Lifelong Learning said: “We are committed to involving young people in how this council is run and to listening to their views, particularly on services that directly affect them such as education, leisure and public transport.

“We were the first local authority in the UK to embed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child at the heart of everything we do and this is just one example of how we take this extremely seriously.

“As usual the standard of debate and questioning was very high and we will be looking closely at all views expressed when finalising our budget proposals.”

In 2018/19 the council says it needs to find £22m in savings but plans to commit additional money to schools and education.

People living in Swansea can take part in the draft budget consultation before it closes on Friday by visiting: www.swansea.gov.uk/ budgetsurvey

Hard copies of the consultation are available at libraries, the Civic Centre and Guildhall.