|
|
|
Young Local Authority of the Year 2010
Lancaster: March 2010
Report
Thirty-nine teams competed for the title Young Local Authority of the Year 2010. Each team researched, wrote and delivered a 900-word Argument paper on a subject, of their own choice, of current interest or controversy. In addition, each team asked itself a question and then answered it without notes ('On the Spot') in as close to three minutes as possible.
The level of mutual support, encouragement and engagement this year was 'quite exceptional' in the opinion of the adjudicators. The great spirit of the occasion was obvious in the room from the supportive laughter and applause and in the attentiveness and courtesy shown to all the teams. Time-keeping was excellent throughout, ensuring that a complex event ran smoothly.
The Argument papers were of a high standard, particularly in terms of presentation, which was often stylish. A pleasing number of teams had a faultless or near-faultless command of the script. The topics covered were mainly domestic; it was slightly disappointing how few papers covered international issues.
The more informal On the Spot session achieved a standard never before reached in this annual competition. Most if not all the teams had prepared for this session with great thoroughness. It showed.
The organising team is grateful to guest adjudicators Jock Gallagher and Amanda Williams and to guest co-ordinator Tim Coulson MBE; to all the local authorities which supported the event; and, most of all, to the 78 outstanding young people who made it such a success.
Overall results
Young Local Authority of the Year 2010
London Borough of Newham
Nieema Alom and Joseph Dromey
Runner-up
East Staffordshire Borough Council
Charlotte Bodger and Charlotte Taylor
Highly commended (3rd)
Kent County Council
Tom Marsh and Daniel Vokes
Category results
English County Councils
18 entries
Winner
Kent County Council
Tom Marsh and Daniel Vokes
From the adjudication:
'A thesis on happiness expressed in an accessible and engaging way...the team produced their recipe for picking up the pieces of a glass half-empty society...elegantly presented...the answer to the adjudicator's question on "happy" Finland brought the house down...their On the Spot on cricket was fluent and funny.'
Runner-up
East Sussex County Council
Team Two: Craig Geering and Jane Mortland
From the adjudication:
'The shocking intro had tremendous impact...theatrical style of presentation.'
English Metropolitan Borough Councils
5 entries
Winner
Birmingham City Council
Dharmendra Singh and Jetendra Singh
From the adjudication:
'A brave and original look at the current debate on anti-terrorism in the UK...exceptional delivery, poised and stylish...their On the Spot was faultlessly fluent.'
English Unitary Councils and English District Councils (joint category)
8 entries
Winner
East Staffordshire Borough Council
Team Two: Charlotte Bodger and Charlotte Taylor
From the adjudication:
'A well-argued case effectively exposing the defects surrounding the introduction of body scanners at airports....a convincing case...high-quality teamwork in presentation...their On the Spot was a lovely piece of theatre.'
London Borough Councils
5 entries
Winner
London Borough of Newham
Nieema Alom and Joseph Dromey
From the adjudication:
'An exceptionally well-written and imaginative paper...underscored the complexities of social division...a piece of mature thinking high in intellectual content...their On the Spot was hilarious, engaging, but also a touching affirmation of local patriotism.'
Scottish Councils
3 entries
Winner
Aberdeenshire Council
Ross Anderson and Fiona Beattie
From the adjudication:
'The conversational style of the paper made it engaging and easy to follow.'
Honourable mention across all categories
Newcastle City Council
Team Three: Helen Butler and Duncan McNulty
Awarded for outstanding teamwork