On Wednesday 25th January, students from Oxted, de Stafford and Warlingham schools will spend time with officers and councillors from Tandridge District Council to find out more about what the Council does and to get involved. The activities are being organised as part of the Children’s Commissioner’s Takeover Challenge.

Six young people will visit the Oxted Council Offices where they will be given an overview of the role of the Council and meet the Chairman of the Council, Councillor Pat Cannon, before being set a number of team challenges. These will include considering a simulated planning application, handling customer enquiries and designing materials for a food waste campaign.

Students will also be given a briefing about voting procedures and how to conduct a ballot before being asked to set up their own polling station. Each challenge will be scored and at the end of the day students from one of the three school teams will be declared the winners.

Chief Executive, Louise Round, said: “The takeover challenge is a great way for the Council to engage with our young residents and hear their views and ideas. We have designed a day we hope will be both interesting and stimulating and look forward to seeing what decisions the young people make. We hope the day inspires them to get involved in their community and that some of them will come and work for us in the future.”

Takeover Challenge is a national event led by the Children’s Commissioner for England which puts children and young people into decision making roles. Organisations and businesses benefit as they gain a fresh insight into their work by listening to children’s ideas and experience.