MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by:
Councillor Mark Johnston
Date of Issue: October 12th 2011
Contact number:
07986 540930
Lib Dem office: 0151 691 8544
LIB DEMS: CHILD POVERTY 'CALL TO ACTION'
Speaking in relation to the Lib Dem Notice of Motion for debate to 17th October Council on the Response to Civil Disorder and the publication of the draft Child Poverty Strategy, Councillor Mark Johnston, proposing the motion, said;
"The disturbances we saw in Birkenhead and across the country in August were extremely distressing. There can be no excuses for the behaviour of those involved in the disorder and other illegal activity that brought violence, fear and disruption to our streets. The criminal behaviour of a tiny minority of our citizens cannot be excused or tolerated.
"This must never happen again. We cannot afford to be complacent and work must be done now to identify the underlying causes of the disorder. We need to deal with these causes through long term measures and thoughtful consideration of the issues. We know that poverty and worklessness can play a role in creating a sense of social exclusion. It is crucial that no young people are left behind by society. The generational blight of worklessness, child poverty and people feeling excluded from society is a shameful part of our modern communities.
"This is why I welcome the publication of the draft Child Poverty Strategy. The civil disorder we saw in August was a call to action. The draft Child Poverty Strategy should be the start of some sustained and creative action by the Council to help tackle child and family poverty in Wirral."
The full text of the Notice of Motion to be debated at 17 October Council is as follows:
RESPONSE TO CIVIL DISORDER: BREAKING THE CYCLE
Proposed by Councillor Mark Johnston Seconded by Councillor Pat Williams
Council notes with concern and distress the disturbances that took place in Birkenhead on 9th August 2011 and across the country during the same week.
Council condemns and deplores the behaviour of all those who participated in disorder and other illegal activity, bringing disruption, fear and violence to our streets. The criminal behaviour of a tiny minority of our citizens cannot be excused or tolerated.
Council congratulates and expresses its sincere thanks to Merseyside Police, Fire and Rescue Service and other emergency services who dealt with matters in a highly professional and dedicated manner. Council also thanks the Courts for their swift response and robust approach to dealing with those found guilty of criminal acts.
Council praises the resilience, restraint and community spirit demonstrated by the overwhelming majority of residents of the Borough.
Council believes that the community response to the disorder more accurately reflects the state of our communities than the disturbances themselves, but further believes that it is important that the causes of the disorder are identified, understood and dealt with through long term measures and thoughtful consideration of the issues.
Whilst there can be no excuses for the behaviour of those involved in the disorder, Council recognises the damaging affects of poverty and worklessness and its role in creating social exclusion and therefore welcomes the draft child poverty strategy report to Cabinet. Council welcomes the contribution to its development from the Wirral Child and Family Poverty Working Group and thanks the voluntary and faith sector representatives, officers and councillors who have served on it.
In particular, Council believes the following issues identified in the draft strategy are crucial to ensuring that that no young people are left behind or excluded from our society and that action in these areas should help contribute to ensuring the August disturbances are never repeated:
Targeting efforts to make work the best route out of poverty
Improving life chances for children through early interventions such as: support for effective parenting, promoting social and emotional development through greater emphasis on the early years and closing the gap in educational attainment
Supporting neighbourhoods by building on community assets
Council requests the Leader to ensure that the recommendations in the report form the basis of a robust and properly resourced action plan that is embedded into the work programme of the authority. The cycle of child and family poverty is a generational blight on some of our communities and breaking into this damaging pattern must be a priority of this Council. Council requests that regular updates of progress in implementing the recommendations are provided to the Children and Young People and Economy & Regeneration Scrutiny Committees.
