Mayor Cllr Brenda Stevenson.
Improve the Derry weather, get rid of vegetables and install bouncy castles in all Council-owned parks are just some of the things Derry children said they would do if they were Mayor of the city for the day.
Young people taking part in a series of Summer Schemes across the city and region were invited by the Mayor Cllr Brenda Stevenson to submit their views and ideas on what they wanted to her to do during her Mayoral year and the responses made interesting reading.
Cllr Stevenson said a number of the responses were “very imaginative and funny,” however the majority of children were very realistic and knowledgeable and very much aware of the needs of their community.
She added: “Lots of them said they would like to see more play facilities and activities for young people in their areas, others wanted to see the summer schemes extended, and more funding to be made available for hospitals and schools, while others wanted to see an end to bullying, and to war and violence across the world.”
A common theme among the responses was that young people were keen to see the summer scheme programmes extended and to have more schemes available to young people in all areas.
Cllr Stevenson added: “I wish I had the power as Mayor to do all the things the kids suggested.
“Some of them wanted to me do all sorts of wild and wonderful things like allow all children to celebrate their birthday twice a year, to give them an endless supply of sweets and to shorten the school year – I only wish I could!
“All I can say is that I have taken on board all the responses and ideas received.
“It is great to hear at firsthand what issues are of concern to our children and young people and I endeavour to work on their behalf.”
The Mayor praised everyone involved in providing summer camp activities to young people over the summer months.
She said: “The feedback I have received from the public in recent weeks about the camps which took place over the summer months, has been very positive.
“Many of them were organised on a voluntary basis providing young people with a range of fun and educational activities over the summer break.”
Cllr Stevenson concluded: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved for making them such a success.”
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