As a councillor since 2005, I have grappled with some big issues - first children and families, then adult social care and lastly, culture. I want to address some of these. Families
Before I was a councillor, I worked in a school and I saw many children with family situations so distressing and disturbing that learning was the last thing on their minds. I strongly believe that, before we do anything else, we need to address the issue of family breakdown.
All the evidence shows that, in general, marriage is the best environment for raising children. If we want to help children in the long- term, we need to acknowledge this and stand up for marriage.
I believe that parents want the best for their children but sometimes don’t know what to do for the best. I want to encourage and support parents to take responsibility for their own children; to offer parenting advice as part of antenatal care; and to teach
young people basic skills to enable them to become good parents themselves. The new Children’s Centres in Salisbury are a key part of this.
Young people
Young people get a bad press these days. Some of it is justified, but certainly not all. I want to celebrate the achievements of our young people, to encourage them to contribute their energy and ‘out of the box’ thinking. I am also very keen to mix the generations – to enable young and old to meet each other - to their mutual benefit. Home-sharing is a bold initiative along these lines, which has been very successful.
Older people
The increasing percentage of our population who are ‘elderly’ is a challenge and also a great opportunity for us all. I am keen to encourage elderly people to share their wisdom and experience with other parts of the community. I also want to ensure that vulnerable elderly people are cared for, as much as possible, within the
communities they know and love. I strongly believe that this is not solely the job of ‘the council’. It is a responsibility we all share.
Culture
The arts, libraries, museums, theatre, music and sport – these activities can make a real difference to individuals and to communities, building confidence and social skills and bringing together people from different backgrounds in a way that nothing else can. In the last few years, Salisbury has seen the arrival of new directors at our Arts Centre, Playhouse, Museum and International Arts Festival: innovative people with bold and exciting ideas. I want to support and help them to engage people, young and old, in the vibrant culture of Salisbury.
Vision for Salisbury I have been on the Steering Group almost since its inception and am determined to see the plans actually implemented; to see Salisbury take its place in the 21st century and so retain
its unique character.
Society
Many people are very concerned at the direction in which our society is heading. Government, national and local, can help but cannot, and should not, do it all. I want to encourage community groups, and the church in particular, to take their place in bringing about long-term change.
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