Quick look busy! - Merton Council

2
We asked, you said, we did
Young people – should be
seen and heard…
We asked:
In previous years the council’s Annual Residents’ Survey has highlighted
that around 15 per cent of people in Merton do not think enough is done
for the young people in the borough. A number of initiatives have taken
place to address this concern and it has since become less of a worry (nine
per cent in 2008), but the council is still keen to hear what young people
have to say about their experiences of living in Merton.
Merton recognises the importance of young people having a voice.
As well as a section of our annual residents’ survey specifically based
on young people in the borough, we also help run the Tellus survey.
The Tellus survey is organised annually by Ofsted and facilitated and
encouraged by the council. This year there was an excellent response from
Merton schools, with 1,157 pupils getting involved.
You said:
Some of the findings were:
• Merton pupils report lower rates of bullying problems than the
national average.
• More pupils try their best at school in Merton than the
national rate – 40 per cent compared with 33 per cent.
• There are higher rates of satisfaction with activities and things to do.
• Participation in positive activities is also higher than the national rate.
• Parks and play areas are highly rated by Merton pupils – 57 per cent report
they are fairly good or better – 44 per cent is the national rate.
• 58 per cent of Merton pupils want to go to university – the national rate
is 54 per cent.
• Young people reported that they feel safe at school and at home but
some had concerns about safety on public transport.
We did:
We are using these results to inform planning and priorities when
trying to build the future for the borough’s young people. We are also
encouraging schools to look at the results and work on potential solutions
where needed.
Working with partners such as the police we are also beginning to
address the issue of fear on public transport with more police and
community police officers now present on Merton’s transport network.
Find out more
www.merton.gov.uk/community/youngpeople
Lending a helping hand
The Leader of Merton Council,
Councillor David Williams,
writes for My Merton.
After Christmas and New Year festivities, most of us have
to let our belts out. However, as the Council approaches
its budget for 2009/10 it has to pull its belt in, to keep
council tax low.
It’s hard to think that the economic climate has
changed so dramatically in the last few months and the
council is not immune. Good housekeeping is as
important for us as for family households and Merton
faces challenging financial circumstances as a result of
rising costs. We will receive an extra £1.1 million from
the Government and yet inflation pressures alone have
increased our costs by £6.7 million. We are the third
worst funded borough in London.
The knock-on effect of the downturn has been an
increased demand for council services, particularly from
some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
We clearly recognise this and are ready to offer the
support residents need in these uncertain times, whether
it be to find housing or access to care services. The
council is also currently looking to establish a credit
union with our partners in Sutton and Croydon, the aim
of which is to provide low cost loans at times of need and
assist people to escape from the cycle of debt.
It is therefore important that we make the best use
possible of the resources we have available, which is why
we are focusing considerable effort to ensure that the
council is working ever more efficiently. Only in this way
will we be able to continue to deliver high quality services
that offer value for money for the council tax payer.
Councillor David T Williams JP
Leader of the Council