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Barnsley Sixth Form College Students quiz council leader

Barnsley Sixth Form College students had the opportunity to quiz Barnsley Council Leader, Cllr Sir Steve Houghton CBE, during a digital surgery conducted via video link.

The students posted pressing questions to Cllr Houghton as part of the Digital Surgeries programme, created by social enterprise The Politics Project.

The Politics Project aims to transform the way in which students engage with their elected representatives by connecting students and politicians using online platforms such as Skype and Zoom. Several preparatory workshops took place beforehand to equip students with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to engage in politics and with their local communities.

During the hour-long surgery, Cllr Houghton discussed topics including youth service founding cuts, Brexit and perceptions of crime in Barnsley measured against statistics.

Cllr Houghton said: “It was a really challenging but enjoyable experience from which I came away impressed with the talent and quality of our young people.”

The Politics Project’s director and founder Harriet Andrews added: “We really enjoyed working with Barnsley Sixth Form College to hold the digital surgery with Cllr Houghton. The students asked some excellent questions and really demonstrated how engaged they were in political issues and in their community.”


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