Agenda item

To consider motions referred from the 26 January 2011 council assembly on the following:

• Educational maintenance allowance
• Southwark Council tribute to heroes
• Choices that count

Educational Maintenance Allowance

RESOLVED:

1.  That it be noted that over 20,000 young people in Southwark have benefitted from the educational maintenance allowance (‘EMA’) which provides financial support to young people from financially disadvantaged backgrounds and enables them to afford to remain in post-16 education.

2.  That it be noted that before the 2010 general election both the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties promised to retain the EMA. 

3.  That in the circumstances cabinet  bitterly regrets the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government’s decision to withdraw the EMA to new students from January 2011 and existing students from July 2011.

4.  Cabinet believes that the withdrawal of the EMA will have a significant and disproportionately adverse impact on the educational and life chances of thousands of young people in Southwark and will result in many more young people leaving full-time education at the age of 16.

5.  Cabinet notes and regrets the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government attacks on young peoples’ education through increasing university tuition fees, ceasing Bookstart and the withdrawal of the sport in schools programme and calls on the government to reconsider its approach and to invest in our young peoples’ future rather than reduce services to them.

6.  Cabinet also notes that the government’s Adviser on Access to High Education, Rt. Hon Simon Hughes MP, avoided the chance to prevent this attack on young people’s education by voting with the government to abolish the EMA and by failing to vote against the trebling in university tuition fees.

Cabinet agrees to and calls upon relevant cabinet members:

7.  To oppose the abolition of the educational maintenance allowance by the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government from the 1 January 2011.

8.  To lobby the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government and the newly appointed advocate for access to higher education, Simon Hughes MP, to reconsider the abolition of the education maintenance allowance.

9.  To secure the support of the three Southwark Members of Parliament to oppose the abolition of the education maintenance allowance.

10.  To use all appropriate means to publicise the withdrawal of the EMA to young people in higher education in Southwark, particularly those from low-income families who rely on the allowance to remain in education and to ensure Southwark’s young people are informed of any alternative financial provision in place to help them to continue in post 16 education.

11.  That it be noted that the Council is setting up a Youth Fund which will be aimed in part, to mitigate some of the impact of the government’s abolition of the EMA.

Southwark Council tribute to Heroes

RESOLVED:

1.  That the council recognises and thanks the people of Southwark for all they have done to support the armed forces and to raise funds for Help for Heroes and Homes for Heroes.

2.  That it be noted that currently all servicemen and women who die in Afghanistan, are brought to Bermondsey before making their final journey to their resting places.

3.  That it be agreed that the council works with the relevant parties involved to facilitate an appropriate tribute from Southwark to recognise those who lose their lives whilst serving our country and make their final journey from our borough.

4.  That it be noted that some progress has been made with Mr Albin Dyer about some of his proposals.

5.  That it be noted that the deputy leader and cabinet member for housing management is doing work on the homes issue and will be meeting with officers about options available.  He was also meeting with a UK Homes for Heroes representative on the 4^th April 2011.

6.  That it be noted that the Leader of the council is making plans for a parade for Heroes in May 2011 and that discussions were taking place with Councillors Denise Capstick and Jeff Hook.

Choices that count

RESOLVED:

1.  That it be noted that the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics are now only a few months away.  That it is also noted that 2012 offers our residents and particularly our young people a unique opportunity to become involved - from volunteering at a big art institution or theatre to sports and dance events and learning new skills. It is believed that 2012 is about London as a world city and that Southwark reflects the world in our communities.  It is believed that it is an opportunity not to be missed.

2.  That  it be noted that the administration has recognised the importance of 2012 and set up a modest structure to coordinate the priority areas we have identified:

·  Engaging young people

·  Getting active, being healthy

·  Promoting volunteering and providing opportunities for business and employment

·  Offering the Southwark experience - our world class arts and culture centres linking with the community

·  Communications

·  Public services operations.

3.  Cabinet believes that to succeed in setting up specific memorable projects, key organisations in the borough should be involved and that these relationships are important for the promotion of Southwark and its economy.  It is noted that the Olympic Legacy Fund is being set up with the intention of raising further outside money to fund capital projects which will improve access to and increase participation in physical activity and keep Olympic values alive after 2012.  It is noted that the community will be asked to submit ideas for high profile projects.

4.  Cabinet believes that the community games are important for our young people and for our aspirations for 2012.

5.  That it be noted that the council is determined to maximise the benefits of 2012 against a backdrop of Government cutbacks to sport – which it believes are incredible in themselves as we build up to the Olympic year. It is noted that the cuts include:

·  Working Neighbourhood Fund which funded part of the community games

·  The Schools Sports Partnership

·  The end of free swimming for young people

·  Cuts to sporting bodies.

6.  That it be noted that the authority also faces unprecedented cuts to its settlement from government, forcing serious cuts across all services. 

7.  That it be noted however that a substantial sum has been identified to secure the games and to build up young peoples' sports for 2012 events.  That it be noted that the administration will seek funding sources to secure the games for the future beyond 2012.

8.  That it be noted that progress was being made on the Olympics and Community Games.