Agenda item

Question a) from Youth Councillor Bella to Councillor Comer-Schwartz, Executive Member for Community Development:

It was great to attend the celebration event to mark the repeal of Section 28 and to learn about how Islington has always been at the forefront of campaigning for LGBT equality. How are faith institutions encouraged to extend LGBT equality within education settings they are responsible for both inside and outside of the school curriculum?

Response:

Thank you for your question. I attended the celebration too, and it is important that we reflect on our history in Islington. The Council works closely with faith institutions to extend LGBT equality. An example of this is in our work with the Westminster Diocese regarding support for Catholic Schools.  These schools access support from the Catholic Education Service alongside Islington Council’s School Improvement Service and our Health and Wellbeing Team. Both organisations advocate for schools to be inclusive and sensitive to individual pupils. Governing bodies have responsibilities for schools’ approaches in relation to the Equalities Act. The Catholic Education Service model policy for relationship and sex education suggests that schools include the statement, “that our school strives to do the best for all of the pupils, irrespective of disability, educational needs, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, pregnancy, maternity, sex, gender identity, religion or sexual orientation or whether they are looked after children.”

Our resources for Islington schools are accessed and used by faith schools, including the ‘out with homophobia’ teaching resource for both primary and secondary schools. Islington’s relationship and sex education resources strive to be inclusive of all children and young people.

In the light of relationship and sex education becoming a statutory duty, the Health and Wellbeing team has been consulting with a number of schools, including faith schools, and will be issuing further guidance following consultation with a range of stakeholders, including LGBT groups within the borough.

Question b) from Young Mayor Honey to Councillor Watts, Leader of the Council:  

At the recent council election, Islington’s voters provided you with a mandate to continue with the commitment to make Islington a fairer borough. What positive things can Islington’s young people expect during the next 12 months which will improve their lives?

Response:

Thank you very much. Islington Labour received 61% of the vote at the election, that is the highest any party had received in my life time. What people were fundamentally voting for wasn’t about personalities, it was about politics, priorities, and making Islington a fairer place. We were the only party that had a serious plan for the future of our borough, and our manifesto included a range of policies to make Islington fairer.

I need to mention the work of the Fair Futures Commission. Islington is a fantastic place to grow up; I know that kids who are fortunate enjoy all of the opportunities possible to enjoy; including world class culture and world class job opportunities. If you have a bit of money, Islington is the best place to grow up in the world. However, people who are struggling do not have access to those opportunities, and it isn’t fair. That fundamental unfairness drives our determination to make Islington a better place.

I would like to thank Jermain Jackman, Cllr Woodbyrne and others who took part in the Fair Futures Commission, as their proposals will make a real difference to people’s lives. In particular, guaranteeing 100 hours of work-related experience by the time young people are 16, working with schools and employers to develop much better, industry-led careers advice, bringing forward plans to address holiday hunger, making the borough more welcoming by reviewing ‘No Ball Games’ signs in consultation with communities and young people, continuing to keep critical youth facilities open, and aiming for every young person to have experienced 11 cultural experiences in the borough by the time they reach Year 11.  That is fundamentally about ensuring that young people enjoy those same opportunities that the fortunate are able to enjoy, and that will make our borough a fairer place.

Question c) from Youth Councillor Lydia to Councillor Caluori, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families:

The YMCA in April 2018 conducted research to examine Local Authority expenditure on youth services in England & Wales. In just six years, Local Authorities have cut their expenditure on youth services in England and Wales by more than £750m.

As this research demonstrates, the long-term benefits of youth services are far too often overlooked and young people may miss out on opportunities outside the school setting to engage in activities that support their learning and development. What reassurance can Cllr Caluori provide to Islington’s young people that Islington will continue to invest in youth services?

Response:

Thank you very much for your question, Youth Councillor Lydia. I completely agree with you that youth services play an important role in engaging young people and helping with their learning and development, especially in an area as diverse as Islington.

I think it is a scandal that the government is slashing funding for youth services across the country, so I’m really proud that Islington is actually spending more on youth services now than we were in 2010 when we came to office. We have opened a new youth hub near Old Street, we have an amazing summer youth offer available that you are helping us to promote, and the Summerversity and Launch Pad events really show how we are responding to what young people tell us they want: more life skills, and exciting and vibrant cultural and sporting opportunities.

I’m really pleased we are able to offer that, so we are going to continue to invest in youth services, particularly in support services for those who need it, and one of my highlights over the next few years will be working with all of you on how we can reach young people who don’t access our services. Maybe they are shy, or scared to travel because of postcode issues, but it’s important that all young people are able to benefit from our services.

Question d) from Youth Councillor Jemelia to Councillor Comer-Schwartz, Executive Member for Community Development:

It’s been a great year for women as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of women being granted the right to vote following the suffragette movement. We would like to congratulate Cllr Kadeema Woodbyrne on becoming Islington’s first ever women and girl’s champion and Islington YCllrs have enjoyed working with Cllr Woodbyrne as part of the Fair Futures Commission. What will be the main focus for this role over the next few months, especially for girls and young women in Islington?

Response:

Thank you for your question. I share your excitement in celebrating the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage. Although we have come a long way in the fight for equal rights for women, it is not over yet. Too many women and girls in Islington and across the UK still face harassment, discrimination and violence.

We know that many girls and young women face barriers to opportunity, and the Government’s austerity policies have had a serious impact on the younger generation. This is completely unacceptable and this Council wants all women and girls in Islington to feel valued and safe in our community.

So, I am very pleased that the Council has appointed a Women and Girls Champion – the first role of its kind in London. Cllr Woodbyrne will be working to highlight what more can be done to protect the rights of women and girls, as well as championing services designed to support them and end violence against them.

Cllr Woodbyrne and I are currently discussing the details of the role and I am pleased to share with you that her particular areas of interest are tackling period poverty and improving girls’ and young women’s self-esteem. I know she is looking forward to hearing from and working with women from a wide range of backgrounds. Cllr Woodbyrne will be working with myself, council officers, Voluntary and Community Sector partners and the local community as part of this work. I am sure she will also be meeting with youth councillors soon.