Shropshire Council needs to take the lead in combating the recession
… say the County's Liberal Democrats. They have tabled a Motion to the Council of December 10th.
"People are facing very tough times," said L.D. Economy spokesman, Peter Phillips. "Unemployment, short time working, problems of debt are real issues, through not always publicised. We need the Council to take a lead.
Good work is being done; but we need urgent and positive actions. And we need to make sure people know what help is available - and how to get it."
The Lib Dems are proposing that a "small, roll-up your sleeves" task group is set up, to meet urgently and to announce 3 "big hit actions" for the New Year.
"Some people will need fast urgent help. Other things need to be done to support Shropshire's economy for the long-term".
"Councillor Peter Phillips meets Work and Pensions Minister, Helen Goodman to discuss Shropshire's recession problems"
Motion to Council
Meeting the Recession
Economic recession is a great threat to Shropshire residents. Unemployment, reduced incomes, growing indebtedness cloud many lives. Shropshire Council can play a leading role and
RESOLVES
· Urgently to establish a Recession Task Group;
· Small in numbers and including key partners
· To meet urgently and
(a) Publicise actions being taken to counter effects of the recession; and
(b) Particularly: to identify quick and effective strategies.
These could draw on the experience of other counties, e.g.
(i) Employment Bond/using 'Tomorrow's People, especially to combat youth joblessness/establishing a Recession Fund … increasing aid to CAB's, the Credit Union, etc. (E. Sussex).
(ii) Learning Access Points/Rural Economy Scheme (Suffolk)
(iii) In house apprenticeships/external apprenticeships/business loans Bank (Essex/Devon)
Or
Bidding into programmes of DWP like Future Jobs Fund/Backing Young Britain Campaign
and
proactively marketing Shropshire, not least our own business/workshop units/actively intervening with tenants who may be facing difficulties/making Economic Development a high profile and pro-active service; reconsidering capital project time lines.
These are only examples: they may be inappropriate or impractical, or already being done.
A Recession Task Group should be small, practical and positive. It should meet urgently and produce some Quick-Win actions. It should not indulge in copious report writing. It should raise awareness of strategies already in place.
P. F. Phillips