NEW CITIZENS CHARTER IS CALL TO ACTION
APolitical Correspondent CITY Charter is to be launched asking citizens of Glasgow to contribute to making Glasgow a better place.
The charter sets out a range of responsibilities the council will take on and is asking people in Glasgow to play a part too with a ‘Citizens’ Role’ involving 11 commitments.
The Citizens’ contributions include becoming more engaged within the city and taking part in elections and council consultations.
The list of citizens’ responsibilities also includes:
Supporting the local economy and local businesses.
Taking up work and training opportunities.
Paying Council Tax and other charges on time.
Not dropping litter or chewing gum and picking up your dog’s mess. Use council services with respect. Volunteer and look out for vulnerable people. Treat each other with respect and report anti-social behaviour.
The Council’s contribution includes action on a range of issues.
It includes many of what the Evening Times readers and people in the city told the paper they wanted action on.
Our Fix List, which was welcomed by council leader Susan Aitken i ncluded action on fly tipping, education, roads and pavements and local community facilities.
The City Charter will state the council will invest in roads and pavements and improve cleanliness and recycling.
It includes local leisure facilities to help people stay active and which should be affordable.
The council will invest in jobs and regeneration, education and childcare.
The council will consult with citizens on plans at an early stage and involve people in spending decisions and priorities.
It will provide more civic space to allow communities to come together.
The council role should also be to invest in the economy, the Living Wage and ensure it has fair work practices.
Jennifer Layden, city convenor for equalities and human rights, said the Charter summarised what people in Glasgow told the council the vision for the city should be.
She said the charter was an informal agreement between the council and the people based on shared commitments
In a report to councillors she said: “We have produced this City Charter with a representative group of citizens.
“It represents their values, vision, and ideas on what we could do together to improve Glasgow.”
Ms Layden added: “The City Charter summarises what citizens have told us about their vision for Glasgow, how the council and citizens can work together and play their part in improving the city and our perspective responsibilities, roles and rights.”
She said the Charter had been developed in consultation with groups of residents and focus groups.
The citizens’ vision for the city wanted a fairer and equal place where people feel welcomed and included, treated with respect.
The views of citizens included creating a city that is clean and with well maintained public spaces.
The vision included a safer city with less crime and with people also taking a role in reporting crime.
Tackling low pay and exploitative work practices were also on the list of priorities the council should promote to ensure the protection of workers’ rights.
A healthier city was envisioned with people taking greater responsi- bility for their own health and well-being.
People also wanted the council to deliver on key priorities across a range of services.
A high standard of education was desired for children and adult learners and equal access to services of a high standards across the city.
Support for vulnerable people, marginalised groups and young people was called for.
Ms Layden said there will be further consultation on thecharter allowing more people to give their views before another report is brought back to the council for consideration.
This week councillors will be asked to agree the City Charter i n principle.