Dyma ni yn y siambr cyngor.
Today Llangewydd Junior School became the first ever school in the county borough to take part in a debate about a local issue in the council chamber. Many members of Year 6 (including J11's very own Dafydd S, Josh, Madi, Abby and Aliyah) and the School Council visited Bridgend Civic Offices Council Chambers to participate in a formal meeting and debate about our local parks and green spaces. Aethon ni i mewn i'r siambr cyngor i drafod parciau lleol.
Dyma ni gyda'r feiri, Marlene Thomas.
We were welcomed into the council chamber at 9.45 am and each member of our school group was shown to their specially labelled seat. 'Councillors' Josh Radford, Dafydd Skilton, Abbygail Pye, Madison Axon and Aliyah Ackbarally settled into their seats to prepare themselves for the meeting that would be chaired by the Mayor, her worship Councillor Marlene Thomas. An officer of the council chamber then explained to us how the technology of the chamber worked. If we wished to speak during the debate, for example, we had to push a red button and wait in a 'queue' until it was our turn to speak. When speaking to the chamber, our image and name would appear on a large screen at the front. It was exciting (and slightly embarrassing) to see our names and pictures appear on the screen. The officer also showed us how councillors would push different buttons in front of them to vote 'Yes', 'No' or to 'Abstain' in a vote on a recommendation. Roedd rhaid i ni wasgu botwm i siarad yn ystod y cyfarfod.
Yn y siambr cyngor. In the council chamber.
At ten o' clock, the gavel (a small mallet) was struck and we all stood as the Mayor, her worship Mrs. Marlene Thomas, entered the chamber. She thanked us for our courtesy, asked us to be seated and declared the meeting open. We had each been given a formal agenda for the meeting which began with the Mayor introducing those present and receiving apologies for absence. Next Mayor Thomas asked us to declare any personal interests. This meant that we were asked if we knew anyone who worked in the council's 'Parks and Playing Fields' department. Sefyllon ni pan daeth y feiri i mewn i'r siambr cyngor.
Eisteddon ni wrth desgiau arbennig.
It was then that the meeting could really get started. Gareth Evans, the Parks and Playing Fields manager approached the lectern. He gave an interesting presentation about parks and green spaces throughout Bridgend County Borough. He told us many interesting facts and figures about them. Did you know, for example, that every year over 3 000 000 visits are made to parks and green spaces throughout the borough? Mr. Evans told us about some of the problems his department face such as vandalism and criminal damage done to our parks - all of which costs many thousands of pounds to put right. The Mayor encouraged us to report anyone we see vandalising our parks to appropriate authorities such as the police or our local councillors. Siaradodd Gareth Evans aton ni am y parciau ym Mhen-y-bont.
Yn chwarae gyda'r raced sboncen.
Following this presentation, Councillor Cheryl Green from Laleston and Bryntirion Community Council talked to us about the work of the community council in providing safe, fun park areas and play equipment for us to enjoy on our doorstep. She said how important it was that children talk to their councillors about what they want to see in their local parks, as well as about any worries or concerns they might have. The Mayor had to interrupt Councillor Green and tell her that she had spoken for more than the allowed three minutes! There are strict rules and timings to follow in the council chamber. Councillor Christina Rees then gave an inspiring talk to us in her role as a member of the Sports Council of Wales. She told us all about what sport and exercise had given to her life. It was fascinating to hear her story of how the sport of squash helped her transform from a painfully shy young girl to a confident Olympic athlete. She is now an award-winning coach of the Welsh national squash team. Some of us even had an opportunity to bounce a squash ball on a racquet in the council chamber. Even the Mayor had a go!!!!! Siaradodd Christina Rees aton ni am chwaraeon.
Yn siarad am barciau lleol. Bendigedig!
Then it was our turn! Dafydd S and Cerys Gulliford addressed the council chamber on behalf of the school. Dafydd approached the lectern first showing no sign of nerves. He talked to the chamber confidently and clearly about the School Council's recommendation that all children should be encouraged to use the play facilities in our local parks in order to improve their health and fitness levels. Dafydd made many interesting points, justifying his opinions with examples and facts and figures. He warned of the dangers of children leading inactive lifestyles and made clear how it is important that Wales changes its status as a country with one of the largest numbers of obese people in the world. He certainly gave the chamber food for thought! Dyma Dafydd yn siarad am gadw'n heini.
Yn Trafod gofalu am barciau. Gwych!
Next it was Cerys' turn. She too approached the lectern with confidence - as if she'd been a councillor all her life. She impressed everyone in the chamber by speaking so clearly and authoritatively about our school's recommendation that all children and others who use our local parks share responsibility for keeping parks clear of rubbish and free of graffiti and damage. The Mayor and councillors really sat up and took notice of Cerys' suggestion that perhaps parks should be monitored by CCTV cameras so that those damaging the parks could be identified, and made to pay for and repair any damage they are responsible for. Dyma Cerys yn siarad am ofalu am barciau lleol.
Roedd rhaid i ni bleidleisio. We had to vote.
As the meeting drew near its conclusion, there was a question and answer session in which we had an opportunity to pose any questions about the issue being debated to the Mayor, to the councillors or to Gareth, the Parks and Playing Fields Manager. Many of us asked some probing, thought-provoking questions. Others of us made helpful suggestions. Jack Crawford, for example, suggested providing parks with equipment especially designed to help some teenagers release negative feelings such as anger. The Mayor and the councillors were so impressed with our ideas and suggestions. The meeting ended with an unanimous vote in favour of the school's recommendations that: all children should be encouraged to use the play facilities in our local parks in order to improve their health and fitness levels and all children and others who use our local parks share responsibility for keeping parks clear of rubbish and free of graffiti and damage.
Yn gwisgo'r cadwyn y meiri. Smart iawn!
On behalf of the school, Mrs. Davies, our headteacher, thanked the Mayor, Councillor White, Councillor Huw David, and all the other parties involved in organising such a rewarding experience, for the time and effort they had put into making this event so successful. We had all thoroughly enjoyed the experience of being councillors involved in a topical debate about an issue that is so important to us. The Mayor expressed how much she had enjoyed the morning's meeting and said that "all the children spoke so well and had such impressive ideas." Councillor Huw David, the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, commented on "how well the children of Llangewydd had conducted themselves in the chamber". The business of the morning being over, we were all treated to drinks, biscuits and chocolate in one of the civic office rooms. There we had an opportunity to chat to the Mayor and the other councillors about the morning's events. Abby even got to wear the Mayor's chain of office! Before leaving for school, we were all delighted to be presented with a special certificate by the Mayor to mark the occasion. We look forward to building on our links with Bridgend County Borough Council in the near future. Rydyn ni'n edrych ymlaen i weithio gyda'r cyngor yn y dyfodol.
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