Teenagers quiz top decision makers at third question time event

Politicians and senior officers from the council and police were quizzed by Rochdale’s young people on Tuesday 24 June, during a Question Time event hosted by Rochdale Youth Forum at Touchstones.

Organised by Rochdale Council’s Youth Service, the session gave youngsters an opportunity to put the issues that affect them to the borough’s top decision makers.

Among those representing the council was Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families, Cllr Donna Martin, and Director of Children's Services, Gail Hopper. Also present was Superintendent Alistair Mallen of GMP Rochdale.

Cllr Donna Martin said: “The event was a really good chance to listen to the things that actually matter to young people in Rochdale. The discussions were incredibly mature, and I was particularly impressed at the amount of thought that everyone involved put into their own positions, regardless of whether we were discussing infrastructure, education or health.

“The Question Time sessions form part of Rochdale Children and Young People’s Partnership's commitment to listening and acting on the concerns of children and young people, and I very much look forward to our next events in Heywood and Middleton.”

The Rochdale Question Time event was officially opened by Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) for Rochdale, Leon Hollinrake, who said: "We need more opportunities like this to discuss issues that are affecting us, to have our voices heard and for officials to have a better understanding of Rochdale’s youth.”