Town hall bosses are set to back votes for 16-year-olds

ROCHDALE council is to throw its weight behind the campaign to give 16 and 17-year-olds the vote.

A motion due to be put forward at tonight’s full council meeting says denying young people the vote is an ‘injustice’ when they are able leave school, pay tax, get married and join the armed forces, among other things.

The motion, put forward by Coun Donna Martin, states: “This council wholeheartedly supports the Votes at 16 Campaign. 16 and 17 year olds are knowledgeable and passionate about the world in which they live, and are as capable of engaging in the democratic system as any other citizen. In Rochdale, we see numerous examples of the fantastic contributions our young people are making. They demonstrate their engagement in societal issues each year when they cast their vote for the Youth Cabinet.

“Last year alone we saw 10,997 votes cast and just under 10,000 votes cast for the Children’s Champion. In Rochdale, our young people fully understand the democratic process and their role as citizens.

“This council also notes the proposals by the Institute for Public Policy Research that to make the best of Votes at 16, that the first vote cast should be compulsory and that political education should be strengthened in schools as part of citizenship courses.”

“This Council places on record its full support for the Votes at 16 Campaign and requests that the Chief Executive writes to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education) to express Rochdale council’s position on this matter.”

Meanwhile Coun Billy Sheerin is also set to put forward a motion calling on the government to create a new ministerial role looking after older people.

It states: “This council notes that there is not currently a dedicated Minister covering the task of looking after issues relating to older people.

“This council also notes that there is an aging population and increasing pensioner poverty.

“This affects large issues such as housing, health and wellbeing and loneliness.

“This council believes that this lack of a dedicated minister and the rise in these issues is a recipe for government inaction on matters that will potentially damage the country.

“This council resolves to ask the Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister requesting the creation of a Minister for Older People.”