RESIDENTS in York have been urged to get involved with local decision making.

To mark Local Democracy Week, which runs until Sunday, City of York Council is looking to increase public participation with democracy, and encourage people to register and vote in local elections on May 2, 2019.

The last day to register is November 22, 2018, but the council will run rolling registration will continue up until April 12, 2019, and the council is particularly keen to encourage students to vote, with voter registration forms due to be delivered to university halls of residence in coming weeks to make it easier for York students to register.

The council is also running a two day workshop in November with Project Dare and pupils aged 14 and 15, to engage more young people in the democratic process.

Run by York Cares, Project Dare aims to inspire young people about possible futures, motivating them to aim higher and work harder in school.

The council's Top 10 tips on how to get involved in local democracy include:

- Register to vote at gov.uk/register-to-vote

- Find out more about becoming a councillor at beacouncillor.co.uk/

- Share your views with the council at york.gov.uk/consultations

- Share your views about Bootham Park, the exhibition is currently on display at West Offices or in the foyer of York Hospital or at york.gov.uk/boothampark

- Sign up for a free walking tour to discuss Bootham Park's future at myfutureyork.org/events/

- Submit or sign an e-petition at democracy.york.gov.uk/mgePetitionListDisplay.aspx

- Arrange to speak at a public council meeting at york.gov.uk/AttendCouncilMeetings

- Join Talk About, the council's resident’s panel, at york.gov.uk/info/20034/local_democracy/15/

- Take the council’s budget challenge to decide where they could allocate spending at york.gov.uk/budget

- Take part in a drop-in session, such as one about the budget at West Offices between 5pm and 7pm on Tuesday, November 20.