South Ayrshire councillors going back to school

May 28 2008 By Edwin Lawrence, Ayrshire Post

COUNCILLORS are going back to school — to hold a key meeting.

And pupils will get the chance to ask probing questions.

Kyle Academy’s theatre will host the meeting.

And members of the public can also attend.

The idea came from Councillor Ian Douglas, who chairs a scrutiny panel.

He said: “The Scottish Government is taking committee meetings beyond Holyrood.

“So there’s no reason why South Ayrshire Council can’t follow suit.

“It will give pupils the opportunity to see how the council works.

“And we’ll be inviting them to put some of their own items on the agenda.”

Ian Douglas is the SNP councillor for Ayr East.

And the scrutiny panel he chairs deals with learning and prosperity.

Councillor Douglas said: “Our director of education Mike McCabe and legal chief Dan Russell will both be in attendance.

“And pupils will be able to question officials like them, as well as the elected councillors.”

Kyle Academy head teacher Eileen Brown said: “This is an exciting prospect for the school.

“We’re part of the community, and we want our new building to be a centre for the community.”

She added: “The meeting will allow issues to be aired in an open and transparent way, and I applaud the council for this initiative.”

The head teacher said that pupil councils representing all the year-groups will attend, as will key groups like the eco council and sports council.

Pupils doing Modern Studies will also be able to attend, to get an insight into how local democracy works.