have your say

Young people's consultative forum
Tomorrow's Voice
Contact your local councillor
What you think about the website?
Democracy games
Registering to vote
Wiltshire Assembly of Youth and UK Youth Parliament

Young people's consultative forum

What is it?

It's a way of making it easier to have your say on the decisions that affect your lives. We are looking for volunteers who are willing to be consulted on issues and services that affect young people.

If you become a member you will be emailed an easy form to help you to decide whether you would like to be consulted on a particular subject.

If you choose to participate you will be sent information about what will happen next. You can choose not to respond – being a member does not require you to give views on everything that comes your way.

Why do it?

Because the youth consultative forum allows for your voice to be heard even if you'er not old enough to vote.

So if you've had enough of not being heard, now's your chance to shout about it.

When is it?

Information will be sent as and when consultation with young people is required.

You may be invited to an event to discuss the issue or your views may be asked for another way, such as through a questionnaire.

Who is running it?

The Principal Community Development Officer for Salisbury District Council will send the information to you. This officer will be the contact for the Youth Consultative Forum. The officer can be contacted on 01722 434568 if you would like to find out more.

How do I join up?

Just fill in this consent form to say you would like to take part, and we will let you know that you have become a member of the forum. You may not hear from us straight away as it will depend on when issues come up and we need to consult with you. So don't worry if you don't hear from us straight away. Remember to check with your parents or carers before signing up.

Send the completed form back to:
Principal Community Development Officer
Community Initiatives Unit
Salisbury District Council
PO Box 2117
Salisbury SP2 SDF

Tomorrow's Voice

Tomorrow's Voice is a survey of young people in Wiltshire from secondary school age up to 18. The survey is supported by Wiltshire County Council, the four district councils (including Wiltshire County Council), the police and the Primary Care Trusts.

Download the results of the survey for 2005/6 – which show that out of all the council websites for the Wiltshire area, you use the Salisbury District Council site most!

Contact your local councillor

Enter your postcode on this website: http://www.writetothem.com/ for a list of not only your local councillors but also your MP, MEPs (Euro MPs) and a quick and easy form allowing you to send a message to them right now!

Tell us what you think about the website

Send us an email to yeahbut@salisbury.gov.uk and tell us what you think of our website – and especially what other information you'd like to see here.

Democracy games

Manage a council budget, experience a day in the life of a councillor, or organise a campaign by playing our democracy games.

Registering to vote

In the UK, most people over the age of 18 can have their say regularly in local and national decision-making by voting, in elections and occasionally in a national vote on a single political question, called a referendum.

Although you can't vote in an election or referendum until your 18th birthday, you should register to vote once you're 16.

Every year, between mid-August and mid-November, registration forms are sent to every house in the district. When you are 16 or over, your name and date of birth should be added to the form, and this will be used to update the council's Register of Electors. So the first time there's an election or referendum, after you're 18, we will send you a voting card.

If you're missed off the Register for some reason, or you move house or some other details change, you can register during the year.

Wiltshire Assembly of Youth (WAY) and UK Youth Parliament

Young people from Wiltshire are regularly elected to the Wiltshire Assembly of Youth and the UK Youth Parliament.

Wiltshire Assembly of Youth is a board of young people aged 12 to 19 from across the county who work as a lobbying and consultative group, giving young people a chance to influence decisions on issues which affect them.

UK Youth Parliament is a national organisation which has lobbied MPs and national companies on issues as diverse as transport fares and votes at 16.

The 2008 elections ran 11-17 February. You can see how well your chosen candidate has done by logging on to the county council's website for young people Sparksite, www.sparksite.co.uk.

Find out about the 2007 WAY election from the Wiltshire County Council website.