Social Inclusion

Speech by Cllr Zoe Patrick delivered to Full Council on Tue 9th Jan 2007

We have been talking this morning about the government White Paper and the missed opportunity. This motion is calling on the Council to ensure that we do not miss out on our commitments to being socially inclusive, in particular around community cohesion.

We know that there are many opportunities across the County to ensure that we are involved as closely as possible with people from all walks of life - whether that is different ethnic groups, cultural activities or simply giving encouragement to any events which are happening in Oxfordshire.

We know that if more work is done with our younger people whether it be through our community schemes working with the police and youth workers then by bringing everyone together it enables everyone to understand different backgrounds and cultures. And we should be promoting this more where we can whether it is in the City, in Banbury or in Henley.

We have a strategy, indeed this was clearly set out in October 2004, and much of the work was done by members of our group when we were in a joint administration. However, I am worried that much of this initial work is now on the 'back burner' with us just paying 'lip service' to statutory requirements. Indeed, what we should be looking at is the payoff, that in doing more preventative work now to bring communities together we can reap the rewards of people having a better quality of life in Oxfordshire and indeed this all adds to the 'wellbeing' agenda.

We know that people generally believe that Oxfordshire is significantly below the national average when it comes to unemployment, poverty, poor health and poor housing - but we also know that there are areas where this is not the case.

If we really do wish to 'improve the quality of life' then I quote:

"This aim can only be achieved by striving to ensure that all Oxfordshire residents are able to enjoy its advantages and to contribute to building strong cohesive communities and an integrating society. We therefore promote the right for everyone to become involved in all aspects of life by removing barriers to participation and by actively promoting equality and social inclusion"

So I ask you to support this motion and ensure that we can fulfil this aim.