Council to hear City social inclusion vision (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

Council to hear City social inclusion vision

June 29, 2006 2:30 PM

Cllr Ceredig Jamieson-Ball (City of Council Executive Member for Social Inclusion and Youth) has outlined the Liberal Democrat administration's vision for progressing social inclusion across the City. The Working Group will be discussed by Councillors at a Full Council meeting tonight (Thursday 29th June).

The development of the Social Inclusion Working Group is a big step forward for City of York Council, including a wide range of interest groups in an inclusive forum to ensure that all views across the City are heard.

Cllr Jamieson-Ball said "I am pleased to announce that the development of the new Social Inclusion Working Group is making excellent progress. The Group will include community representatives from each of the equality groups - disability, gender, ethnicity, age, religion and sexual orientation.

"The purpose of the Social Inclusion Working Group is to discuss issues of equality at a

strategic level. This might be, for example, how the council could make its workforce better reflect the diversity of the local population, council plans for making services more inclusive and accessible or how the council can effectively involve people from disadvantaged communities in consultation to shape services.

"I am delighted to confirm that the Social Inclusion Working Group will have a budget of £7,240 for this year to ensure that meetings are accessible to all, and that the community representatives are able to report back effectively and communicate the work of the Group to the wider communities of interest they represent. The members of the Working Group will decide for themselves how this money should be spent. I am really looking forward to getting this group up and running, and making a real contribution to the actions and policies of the Council."

ENDS