Year 9 - Citizenship
Should young people have the right to stand in local elections?
How can young people play an active role in democracy?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
Pupils consider what role they can play in their communities from school to local and national democracy.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain why local council elections are important and the arguments for and against young people being able to become local councillors.
Key Notes
- Local councils are responsible for services that affect daily life, like education, transport and housing.
- In all parts of the UK, individuals must be 18 or over to stand as a local councillor.
- 16 and 17 year olds can vote in local elections in Scotland and Wales, but they are not allowed to stand for election.
- To be a councillor, a person must live, work, own or rent property or be registered to vote in the area for 12 months.
- Youth Councils enable young people to express their views but do not hold legal decision-making power.
Vocabulary To Learn
- local council: a group elected to make decisions and provide services in a specific area, such as a town, city or borough
- local councillor: a person elected to represent their ward or division, and the people who live in it
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Local councillors get a salary.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Local councils are responsible for services that affect daily life, like education, transport and housing. In all parts of the UK, individuals must be 18 or over to stand as a local councillor.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'local council'
a group elected to make decisions and provide services in a specific area, such as a town, city or borough.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Local councillors get a salary. Correction: Local councillors do not get a salary. They are entitled to receive an allowance to cover costs associated with their role. This allowance is intended to reimburse them for time spent on council duties and is a basic allowance.
More Lessons In This Unit
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