Pupils at Merrill College and Noel Baker School are being asked to put forward their views about what improvements they want to see in their local area.

Derbyshire Education Business Partnership (DEBP) and Derby Homes, the organisation that manages and maintains council housing in Derby, are supporting the schools in carrying out the consultation among pupils in Year 10. 

Groups of students from each school are working on ideas and suggestions about the future of their area. With the support of mentors from Derby Homes they will then prepare a presentation that explains what they would like to see, and why. Phil Davies, chief executive of Derby Homes, will judge the presentations on 17 November.

Mr Davies explained: ‘We have £15 million available to fund estate-based improvements between 2006-2011. We have already held our Estates Pride stakeholder events with tenants and other local residents to get their views on changes they would like to see in their area. But it is important that young people also get the chance to have their say.’

The presentations will take place on Social Enterprise Day, which forms part of National Enterprise Week. The week encompasses a national campaign called ‘Make Your Mark – Start Talking Ideas’, that focuses on motivating young people to turn their ideas into reality.