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| York Fairness Commission calls for city to host national Fairness Summit in final report | York Fairness Commission calls for city to host national Fairness Summit in final report |
| (8 days later) | |
| York's pioneering Fairness Commission, whose excellent example has since been followed in a number of other cities and local authorities, is hoping the city will hold a national 'fairness summit', following the publication of its final report. | York's pioneering Fairness Commission, whose excellent example has since been followed in a number of other cities and local authorities, is hoping the city will hold a national 'fairness summit', following the publication of its final report. |
| Introduced by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, whose possible move to Canterbury to replace the outgoing archbishop Dr Rowan Williams is still in the balance, the blueprint makes seven main recommendations which are backed by an immense number of detailed additional suggestions, some already in action. | Introduced by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, whose possible move to Canterbury to replace the outgoing archbishop Dr Rowan Williams is still in the balance, the blueprint makes seven main recommendations which are backed by an immense number of detailed additional suggestions, some already in action. |
| The broad thrust repeats but somewhat extends the preliminary findings which were published in the Guardian Northerner in – see here. We also ran a piece in explaining the thinking behind the exercise. That's here. | The broad thrust repeats but somewhat extends the preliminary findings which were published in the Guardian Northerner in – see here. We also ran a piece in explaining the thinking behind the exercise. That's here. |
| The seven pillars of fairness wisdom, which the commission hopes to see adopted by York city council, are these: | The seven pillars of fairness wisdom, which the commission hopes to see adopted by York city council, are these: |
1. Make York a Living Wage City and inspire Yorkshire to become a Living Wage Region. 2. Deliver an inclusive approach to economic development that creates jobs, tackles worklessness, and ensures all of York's citizens can contribute and prosper. 3. Create a simple and shared system to get help and advice to people,including an easy to access central information hub, outreach centres and promotional activity. 4. Urgently address the city's housing and accommodation needs to improve availability and affordability for all, and to support sustainable economic growth, backed by a long term strategic framework. 5. Make far greater use of early intervention, preventative measures and community based care to support health, independent living and inclusion. 6. Ensure that childcare, the learning environment and education help to tackle inequalities. 7: Further assess the full range of ideas and proposals for action made in the report and agree mechanisms for taking them forward. | 1. Make York a Living Wage City and inspire Yorkshire to become a Living Wage Region. 2. Deliver an inclusive approach to economic development that creates jobs, tackles worklessness, and ensures all of York's citizens can contribute and prosper. 3. Create a simple and shared system to get help and advice to people,including an easy to access central information hub, outreach centres and promotional activity. 4. Urgently address the city's housing and accommodation needs to improve availability and affordability for all, and to support sustainable economic growth, backed by a long term strategic framework. 5. Make far greater use of early intervention, preventative measures and community based care to support health, independent living and inclusion. 6. Ensure that childcare, the learning environment and education help to tackle inequalities. 7: Further assess the full range of ideas and proposals for action made in the report and agree mechanisms for taking them forward. |
| You can read or download the full report from the commission's website, here. | You can read or download the full report from the commission's website, here. |
| Archbishop Sentamu says: | Archbishop Sentamu says: |
| You can judge how healthy a society is by how it treats the most vulnerable people. Research has conclusively shown that a more equal society is a happier society. If we want to see York prosper and flourish we must reduce its societal divide. It is our duty and our responsibility. I am delighted that the Fairness Commission is calling for a Living Wage to be introduced across the city. People should be paid a fair wage for a fair day's work – anything else is unjust. I hope York will take the lead on tackling inequality and that others across the country will follow. It is over to the politicians and the public now. | You can judge how healthy a society is by how it treats the most vulnerable people. Research has conclusively shown that a more equal society is a happier society. If we want to see York prosper and flourish we must reduce its societal divide. It is our duty and our responsibility. I am delighted that the Fairness Commission is calling for a Living Wage to be introduced across the city. People should be paid a fair wage for a fair day's work – anything else is unjust. I hope York will take the lead on tackling inequality and that others across the country will follow. It is over to the politicians and the public now. |
| You can judge how healthy a society is by how it treats the most vulnerable people. Research has conclusively shown that a more equal society is a happier society. If we want to see York prosper and flourish we must reduce its societal divide. It is our duty and our responsibility. | You can judge how healthy a society is by how it treats the most vulnerable people. Research has conclusively shown that a more equal society is a happier society. If we want to see York prosper and flourish we must reduce its societal divide. It is our duty and our responsibility. |
| The commission's chair, Ruth Redfern, says: | The commission's chair, Ruth Redfern, says: |
| Our first report's focus was on influencing and advising the council on its budget setting process, squaring the need to make the sizeable cuts forced upon it with commitment to equity and social justice. We are pleased that key recommendations from that report have been taken up, and we hope that action will also be taken on our detailed recommendations in the full report. This takes our work a step further by considering how to promote fairness in the long term and across the whole of York. We believe that reducing inequality, particularly of wealth and incomes, and standing up for and empowering those who are most vulnerable in society will not only increase fairness, but will create benefits to society as a whole. | Our first report's focus was on influencing and advising the council on its budget setting process, squaring the need to make the sizeable cuts forced upon it with commitment to equity and social justice. We are pleased that key recommendations from that report have been taken up, and we hope that action will also be taken on our detailed recommendations in the full report. This takes our work a step further by considering how to promote fairness in the long term and across the whole of York. We believe that reducing inequality, particularly of wealth and incomes, and standing up for and empowering those who are most vulnerable in society will not only increase fairness, but will create benefits to society as a whole. |
| She adds: | She adds: |
| York was home to the active philanthropist Joseph Rowntree, whose commitment to finding ways of reducing poverty lives on to this day. It is therefore no surprise that York is, by any measure, a fairer city than most. | York was home to the active philanthropist Joseph Rowntree, whose commitment to finding ways of reducing poverty lives on to this day. It is therefore no surprise that York is, by any measure, a fairer city than most. |
| Our reputation for fairness is also why we recommend that York hosts an international summit on Fairness on behalf of the UK. Our country has much to learn from less unequal societies and learn we should. | Our reputation for fairness is also why we recommend that York hosts an international summit on Fairness on behalf of the UK. Our country has much to learn from less unequal societies and learn we should. |
| Our principles to 'fairness-proof' activity and decision making in York are clear and easily followed. Our ideas for action come directly and significantly from the citizens of York. There is nothing in the report that cannot be actioned and will not, when actioned, have a positive effect on fairness. | Our principles to 'fairness-proof' activity and decision making in York are clear and easily followed. Our ideas for action come directly and significantly from the citizens of York. There is nothing in the report that cannot be actioned and will not, when actioned, have a positive effect on fairness. |
The context of the report is presented in research which shows that although two fifths of York residents are relatively well off, living in the best 20% of places in the country, around 13,000 of their neighbours live in the most deprived 20%. It's a cliché, but we have a tale of two cities, in the same place. The other crucial background, on a day when the national minimum wage for over-21s crept up by 11p to £6.19 (and 5p more for apprentices who get just £2.65 an hour), is that the council must save £19.7m in the the next two years to meet government spending cuts. | The context of the report is presented in research which shows that although two fifths of York residents are relatively well off, living in the best 20% of places in the country, around 13,000 of their neighbours live in the most deprived 20%. It's a cliché, but we have a tale of two cities, in the same place. The other crucial background, on a day when the national minimum wage for over-21s crept up by 11p to £6.19 (and 5p more for apprentices who get just £2.65 an hour), is that the council must save £19.7m in the the next two years to meet government spending cuts. |
| Archbishop Sentamu adds: | Archbishop Sentamu adds: |
| I hope too that the ten Fairness Principles become the blueprint for decision making in York in the years to come. Let us always consider those in need and look to give a voice to the voiceless. As our country goes through tough economic times we need to remember that not all in our society are blessed with good jobs, incomes, housing and leisure opportunities. | I hope too that the ten Fairness Principles become the blueprint for decision making in York in the years to come. Let us always consider those in need and look to give a voice to the voiceless. As our country goes through tough economic times we need to remember that not all in our society are blessed with good jobs, incomes, housing and leisure opportunities. |
| The ten principles are these: | The ten principles are these: |
1 Make reducing income inequalities a core value in decision making, for example by paying a living wage. 2 Build social factors into procurement and contracting to promote good employment practice, enhance local supply chains, reduce inequalities and heighten opportunities for unemployed people in York. 3 Strive for excellence in York's organisations and the way they work together so that corporate social responsibility is the norm, services are delivered efficiently and effectively, and the city builds a reputation as a leader in tackling inequalities. 4 Empower and extend opportunities for disadvantaged groups and individuals. 5 Adopt a long term view and a preventative approach that acts now to prevent bigger problems in the future. 6 Take decisions and run services in an open and transparent manner, listening to and engaging with communities and customers, including the most disadvantaged. 7 Embed a creative and 'can do' culture that strives for new solutions and opportunities, even when there are difficult challenges and limited resources. 8 Exert influence outside York to address external factors that drive inequalities or restrict local action within the city. 9 Target investments and services to reduce inequalities and improve life chances in the most disadvantaged areas. 10 Promote and prioritise sustainable economic growth that maximises opportunities and benefits to all people, including the most disadvantaged (e.g. jobs, wages and wellbeing). | 1 Make reducing income inequalities a core value in decision making, for example by paying a living wage. 2 Build social factors into procurement and contracting to promote good employment practice, enhance local supply chains, reduce inequalities and heighten opportunities for unemployed people in York. 3 Strive for excellence in York's organisations and the way they work together so that corporate social responsibility is the norm, services are delivered efficiently and effectively, and the city builds a reputation as a leader in tackling inequalities. 4 Empower and extend opportunities for disadvantaged groups and individuals. 5 Adopt a long term view and a preventative approach that acts now to prevent bigger problems in the future. 6 Take decisions and run services in an open and transparent manner, listening to and engaging with communities and customers, including the most disadvantaged. 7 Embed a creative and 'can do' culture that strives for new solutions and opportunities, even when there are difficult challenges and limited resources. 8 Exert influence outside York to address external factors that drive inequalities or restrict local action within the city. 9 Target investments and services to reduce inequalities and improve life chances in the most disadvantaged areas. 10 Promote and prioritise sustainable economic growth that maximises opportunities and benefits to all people, including the most disadvantaged (e.g. jobs, wages and wellbeing). |
| Here's a YouTube clip of York city council's Labour leader Coun James Alexander talking about the commission last week. | Here's a YouTube clip of York city council's Labour leader Coun James Alexander talking about the commission last week. |
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