Youngsters quiz Welwyn Hatfield great and good

A team of panellists was given a grilling by youth councillors in Welwyn Garden City last week.

A police boss, a bus company manager, a councillor and the Welwyn Hatfield Time’s news editor faced questions from members of the borough’s youth council.

The event, at Monk’s Walk School last Wednesday, saw teenagers ask a range of questions on a variety of topics.

Subjects covered included bus fares for school pupils, relationships between teenagers and the police, the cost of sporting activities, and young people in the media.

Chloe Evans, one of the organisers from the youth council, said: “I think it went really well, there were lots of really good questions asked.”

She said she hoped to arrange similar events to give young people a chance to question people in authority.

The panel consisted of police neighbourhood Sgt Stephen Hynes, Dan Crosfield from Arriva buses, Welwyn Hatfield councillor Darren Bennett, lead member for sports at Welwyn Hatfield Council, and the Welwyn Hatfield Time’s Dave Burke.

Matt Rayner, the council’s youth and sports manager, acted as MC.

Dave said: “The youth council members asked some really challenging questions.

“It was a very worthwhile and well organised event,and showed how important it is to listen and engage with young people.”