Women get the Guildhall

Women from Lincoln Courts in the Waterside were among those who took up the challenge to get involved and find out more about how local government works when the Community Relations Officers and Women's Officer at Derry City Council threw down the gauntlet to women's groups across the city to learn more.

As part of the scheme the women were divided into three political parties and had to debate issues and 'spend' 250,000 on initiatives, which saw some good-natured but passionate debate between the groupings.

As part of the event the women were also given a whirlwind tour of the Guildhall, and also put the Mayor on the spot with some tough questioning about current issues and policies on community funding and the effect of the Review of Public Administration.

Originally the 'Do You Get the Guildhall?' initiative was introduced to school age teenagers to local government, but it is hoped that in the new financial year - after April - that the scheme will be opened out, free of charge, to clubs and community groups of all kinds.

One of three Community Relations Officers at the Council, Sue Divin, said the event was part of the Council's community relations programme, run through the community services section in the Council.

"We have actually had about 450 teenagers do this programme and it is originally a schools-based programme and part of the youth citizenship education programme, but we felt we could adapt this programme and use it for adults. So, today has been a pilot event to see if it is possible to adapt it and make it suitable for adults so that adults can understand how Derry City Council works.

"We are not just talking about 'politics' with a large 'P', about political parties and councillors' and debates in the council chamber, it also has takes in 'politics' with a small 'p', for example what the actual work of the council is within the different departments, how rates decisions are made and that sort of thing. The programme also includes a bit about what is actually in the Guildhall as well," she said.

Meanwhile, Women's Officer at the Council, Joanna Boyd, said the initiative was a pilot scheme, adding: "I think it is a good way of introducing women into public life and introducing them to politics and the process of decision-making, and decision-making roles within the Council.

"With RPA just around the corner it is very timely that this is happening now," she said, adding: "The Community Relations Officers run this programme in conjunction with teenagers, but it is also something that we could run with youth clubs or other community groups. From a womens' point of view and speaking as the Women's Officer, it is being run as a pilot for women today, but I think it is the kind of programme that anyone could benefit from, as it could be run for any group and is a very accessible way of finding out how the Council works and how you get into a role and make a difference in society." she said.

The other Community Officers who devised the event were Angela Askin, who spoke on the processes involved involved in elections, party politcs, the role of the departments and management, and Betty Doherty, who was involved in front o fhouse duties.

The event was brought to a close with a feedback session, when the women involved gave the pilot scheme the green light, recommending it to other groups not only as informative, but a fun way in which to learn about how policies are made and how rates are spent in the Londonderry district.

Any group or organisation which caters for teenagers or adults is welcome to contact the Community Relations Office at the Council and register interest in being involved in the 'Do You Get the Guildhall' initiative. The number to call is 028 7134 5151.