Agenda item

This Council is proud to put children, young people and families at the heart of our growth strategy for the city.

Council commends the progress made for the most vulnerable children in Leeds through the child friendly city ambition, in spite of the damaging policies of the coalition Government and exceptionally challenging financial context.  Progress evidenced by: a safe, appropriate reduction in the number of children and young people in care; a significant rise in young people in education employment and training; and our best ever school attendance figures.

Council recognises the unfair disproportionate burden young people have had to bear from the recent financial crisis.

Council calls on the next Government to make a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for all children and young people and put in place meaningful policies to address the poverty, debt, unemployment and mental health challenges that have blighted too many young people growing up in the UK over the past five years.

Council calls on the new Government to: invest properly in early intervention, further and higher education, training, employment and accessible transport for young people; demonstrate compassion for the pressures and problems of growing up in today’s society; and devolve more freedom to local services so that those working directly with our young people have the powers and permissions they need to make a difference.

Council believes that these measures will start to undo the damage that has been caused over the past five years and ensure that future generations do not suffer from the same massive burden of failing Government austerity measures with regard to young people.

It was moved by Councillor Blake, seconded by Councillor Smart that this Council is proud to put children, young people and families at the heart of our growth strategy for the city.

Council commends the progress made for the most vulnerable children in Leeds through the child friendly city ambition, in spite of the damaging policies of the coalition Government and exceptionally challenging financial context.  Progress evidenced by: a safe, appropriate reduction in the number of children and young people in care; a significant rise in young people in education employment and training; and our best ever school attendance figures.

Council recognises the unfair disproportionate burden young people have had to bear from the recent financial crisis.

Council calls on the next Government to make a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for all children and young people and put in place meaningful policies to address the poverty, debt, unemployment and mental health challenges that have blighted too many young people growing up in the UK over the past five years.

Council calls on the new Government to: invest properly in early intervention, further and higher education, training, employment and accessible transport for young people; demonstrate compassion for the pressures and problems of growing up in today’s society; and devolve more freedom to local services so that those working directly with our young people have the powers and permissions they need to make a difference.

Council believes that these measures will start to undo the damage that has been caused over the past five years and ensure that future generations do not suffer from the same massive burden of failing Government austerity measures with regard to young people.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Lamb, seconded by Councillor S Bentley

In paragraph one delete ‘growth strategy for the’

In paragraph two delete ‘the damaging policies of the coalition government and’ in the first sentence

Delete paragraph three and replace with new paragraphs to read:

‘This Council recognises that Leeds has a long standing commitment to cross party working on established city priorities such as improving services offered to children and young people in the city. This has enabled a whole council approach to driving the improvements in this directorate in recent years.

‘Council further recognises that over the last five years the Government has striven to invest in the future for young people, even in the difficult economic climate inherited from the Labour government.  The last five years has seen the introduction of Pupil Premium; expansion of apprenticeships; free childcare; Free School Meals; the lowest numbers of young people NEET since 2010; the highest ever number of disadvantaged young people entering university and early intervention success with the Troubled Families programme.’

Delete paragraphs four, five and six, and replace with new paragraphs to read:

‘This Council gives thanks to the hard working Council staff who are doing valuable and important work in often difficult circumstances.

’We call upon the next government to continue to ensure that our children and young people get the best start in life, receive a good education, and continue to receive the opportunities that they need to achieve the most out of their lives.’

Motion will Read:

‘This Council is proud to put children, young people and families at the heart of our city.

‘Council commends the progress made for the most vulnerable children in Leeds through the child friendly city ambition, in spite of the exceptionally challenging financial context.  Progress evidenced by: a safe, appropriate reduction in the number of children and young people in care; a significant rise in young people in education employment and training; and our best ever school attendance figures.

‘This Council recognises that Leeds has a long standing commitment to cross party working on established city priorities such as improving services offered to children and young people in the city. This has enabled a whole council approach to driving the improvements in this directorate in recent years.

‘Council further recognises that over the last five years the Government has striven to invest in the future for young people, even in the difficult economic climate inherited from the Labour government.  The last five years has seen the introduction of Pupil Premium; expansion of apprenticeships; free childcare; Free School Meals; the lowest numbers of young people NEET since 2010; the highest ever number of disadvantaged young people entering university and early intervention success with the Troubled Families programme.

‘This Council gives thanks to the hard working Council staff who are doing valuable and important work in often difficult circumstances.

‘We call upon the next government to continue to ensure that our children and young people get the best start in life, receive a good education, and continue to receive the opportunities that they need to achieve the most out of their lives.’

The amendment in the name of Councillor Lamb was declared lost and upon being put to the vote it was;

RESOLVED - That this Council is proud to put children, young people and families at the heart of our growth strategy for the city.

Council commends the progress made for the most vulnerable children in Leeds through the child friendly city ambition, in spite of the damaging policies of the coalition Government and exceptionally challenging financial context.  Progress evidenced by: a safe, appropriate reduction in the number of children and young people in care; a significant rise in young people in education employment and training; and our best ever school attendance figures.

Council recognises the unfair disproportionate burden young people have had to bear from the recent financial crisis.

Council calls on the next Government to make a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for all children and young people and put in place meaningful policies to address the poverty, debt, unemployment and mental health challenges that have blighted too many young people growing up in the UK over the past five years.

Council calls on the new Government to: invest properly in early intervention, further and higher education, training, employment and accessible transport for young people; demonstrate compassion for the pressures and problems of growing up in today’s society; and devolve more freedom to local services so that those working directly with our young people have the powers and permissions they need to make a difference.

Council believes that these measures will start to undo the damage that has been caused over the past five years and ensure that future generations do not suffer from the same massive burden of failing Government austerity measures with regard to young people.