Fairness group met

Experts’ gathering in NL

Members of the new Fairness Commission established by North Lanarkshire Council have held their first meeting, taking evidence from organisations including Scottish Fire and Rescue and New College Lanarkshire.

The group is chaired by Professor Annettte Hastings, head of urban studies at Glasgow University, and its 11 members include Airdrie Academy depute head Maryjane Hunter plus council leader Jim Logue and opposition leader David Stocks, both Airdrie Central councillors.

Joining the independent panel are depute lord lieutenant John Brown, the chief executive of Lifeskills ; Professor Ken Gibb of Glasgow University, Oxfam’s Anela Anwar, Chris Goulden of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Scottish Cities Alliance housing adviser Jim Hayton, Peter Kelly of the Poverty Alliance, and Pippa Coutts from the Alliance for Useful Evidence.

They used the first meeting of the commission – set up “to examine issues of fairness across North Lanarkshire” – to hear further evidence from local authority officials, and to determine how the group will approach its work.

Professor Hastings said: “We had an excellent first meeting; it was good to have most of the commissioners together and it’s fantastic to see that they are all committed to the work we have ahead.

“Each commissioner has a real depth of expertise and we are positive about the difference our findings and recommendations can make to people across North Lanarkshire.”

She added: “We heard some excellent evidence about what’s working and what can be improved; at future meetings we will gather more detailed evidence and ideas from other community planning partners, third sector organisations and the business community.”

The commission will meet “every few weeks” and will go on to produce a report with recommendations for action at the end of the process.

Councillors agreed six months ago to establish the commission, with council leader Logue saying: “It will have free rein to examine all the issues which lead to deprivation and poverty and will be able to make serious recommendations to the council and its partners.

“I intend to make sure the council and its partners do everything they can to minimise poverty and deprivation, and increase levels of equality and fairness, in the communities we serve.

“We will work with anyone who sees equality and fairness as a priority, and I believe the work of our Fairness Commission will set a course for the council and all those who deliver services to the people of North Lanarkshire.”

Set a course for the council and all who deliver services Jim Logue