Council To Celebrate European Democracy Week With Open Q&A Session

Monmouthshire County Council is celebrating European Democracy Week (10–17th October) with an informal opportunity to discuss democracy in the company of the council’s Democratic Services Committee. This event takes place at 5pm on Monday 17th October in County Hall, Usk and will be of interest to anyone wishing to know about the county’s democratic process. On the agenda will be democratic engagement, registering to vote, using the vote, and standing for election. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

A number of prominent councillors will speak for up to five minutes about their roles, active citizenship and what inspires them. Afterwards questions will be invited from those attending. The event is open to all. County Hall is situated on the A472 outside Usk and has ample free car parking. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Frances Taylor who chairs the committee said: “Democracy is a right we all hold dear. I’m delighted to issue an open invitation to the county’s communities to attend this informal event and discover how the council applies the democratic process. We don’t think there is a ‘typical’ councillor so come and see for yourself.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The informal gathering will be preceded by a formal meeting of the committee starting at 2pm. This features an appearance by Frank Cuthbert, the Head of Democracy, Diversity and Remuneration at the Welsh Government. He will speak about Mark Drakeford’s recent statement on the future of local government in Wales. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​