STUDENTS from Burnt Mill will be quizzing a panel of county councillors during a Members Question Time session as part of Local Democracy Week (Monday 14 October to Friday 18 October).

Primary and secondary school students will be getting to grips with local democracy at two full-day events being held by Essex County Council to help young people understand and learn more about the importance of democracy and how local government works.

The students will be attending County Hall in Chelmsford on two different days, Monday 14 October (secondary pupils) and Friday 18 October (primary pupils), where they will meet a panel of local councillors and take part in activity workshops to get them thinking about council issues and decision making.

Pupils will then have the opportunity to ask the panel direct questions during a Members Question Time session. The panel includes the Cabinet Members with responsibility for Children and Families, Education and Lifelong Learning, and Libraries, Communities and Planning.

About 100 young people are expected to attend on Monday 14 October from 11 different schools. As well as Burnt Mill there will be: William de Ferrers School, Alec Hunter School, West Hatch School, Burnt Mill Academy, King John School, Thurstable School, Castledon School, Boswells School, Beauchamps High School, Fitzwimarc School and Ormiston Rivers Academy.