Question Time is coming to Wigan again!
As part of Local Democracy Week, which runs from Monday October 13 until Friday October 17, Wigan Council will be re-creating the famous television debating chamber right here in the borough.
The council is organising two Question Time-style events on Tuesday October 14 (full details below). The first all about young people and there will be three separate sessions in local schools during the daytime. There will be an opportunity for the feeder primary schools to attend these events.
The second event will take place during the evening and is open to everyone to attend. It will be held at Wigan Town Hall and the emphasis will be on more adult issues.
The panel to face the questions is: Cabinet Champion for Children and Young People Cllr Susan Loudon, Conservative Group Leader on Wigan Council Cllr Michael Winstanley, Community Action Party councillor Barry Fagan, Independent Conservative Group Leader Cllr Gareth Fairhurst and newspaper publisher and chair of Wigan Cultural Partnership Mark Ashley.
For both events BBC North West reporter Dave Guest will be ‘doing a Dimbleby’ and acting as compere.
Local Democracy Week is a national campaign which aims to encourage young people, groups and organisations to get involved in the democratic process at grass roots level.
Last year Wigan Council supported the annual event with a whole range of activities including opportunities for people to find out more about the work of their elected representatives and the council.
Wigan Local Democracy Week organiser Simon Dale says:
“Last year’s event was a huge success and we want to repeat it again this year.”
Simon adds:
“One of the big highlights was the Question Time event, which stimulated some lively and thought-provoking debate.
“This year there will be a group of leaders from different fields who are willing to answer questions and debate the hot topics of the day.
“We think this will mean we will get a good mix of local issues and national policy questions.”
The organisers need just one more thing to make the show complete…you!
Anyone who would like to ask a question or would like to be in the audience can contact Katie Long on 01942 827280 or e-mail localdemocracyweek@wigan.gov.uk
Tickets will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis.
The full details of the events are:
Question Time – session 1
Date – Tuesday October 14
Venues – Local schools
Time –
- Westleigh High School – 9am till 10.30am
- St Edmund Arrowsmith – 11am till 12.30pm
- Standish High School – 1.30pm till 3pm
Question Time – session 2
Date – Tuesday October 14
Venue – Wigan Town Hall, Council Chamber
Time – 6.45pm for 7pm start (ends 9pm)
