We’ve been so busy with university freshers fayre’s over the past few weeks that I forgot to mention Cllr Colin McGrath has been continuing his weekly video diaries.

We covered the first 3 videos, but he’s now on his 6th. They are all available here but here’s the latest one:

Lisburn City Councils Environmental Services Committee approved the use of children by the Council in ‘entrapment’ scenarios to entrap shop keepers selling tobacco to minors.(Committee meeting 3 September).

SDLP Lisburn Councillor Matthew McDermott strongly opposed this move by the Council, as he believes it to be a form of exploiting children. Cllr McDermott criticised the council saying that they have not put in the safety measures required to protect children who take part in these entrapments. He was a single voice on the Committee.

Commenting Cllr McDermott said “I am deeply disappointed by the actions of the committee, this is a serious issue and a dangerous path for any local authority to go down. It raises a number of child protection issues.

“No local authority should have this power; it is essentially the power to use children. The Council have not demonstrated how they plan to ensure the safety of the child once they leave the care of the officers.

“I asked that a number of protections be put in place but they were rejected. When we are dealing with children we need to ensure that there is no possibility that anything can go wrong. This hasn’t been assured. The Child Protection officer produced a report which gives me no comfort.

“This means that it may be possible for the council to use a 14 year old child and for councillors to know nothing about it. What’s to stop that child from being recognised on the street by the shop owner in future? That child could then be put in serious danger if the shop owner is not reasonable.

Concluding, Cllr McDermott said, “its very disappointing and worrying to think that young children could be put in this position, by a body which is supposed to serve them. The SDLP opposes local councils having this power for a number of reasons including the fact that there is no dedicated oversight, which is vital when it comes to people’s safety.”

END
Notes to editor:
* The power to use children for test purchasing will take effect after the September meeting of Full Council.

(from http://thesdlp.bebo.com/ )

SDLP Cllr Colin McGrath has released his 3rd YouTube diary as Chairman of Down District Council. He certainly has been busy, and it’s the holidays!

He discusses youth issues, bank holiday Monday celebrations, a possible Velodrome for Downpatrick, having his house robbed and car stolen, SDLP meetings, constituency work and more.

Also, he has changed the music after some complaining from us and The Belfast Stoop. Congrats Colin! - We also like the shorter introduction. You’re becoming a pro.

Cllr Niall Kelly, or Nelly as he’s known to SDLP Youth, was elected to Belfast City Council on 1st July 2008, co-opted to Carmel Hanna’s seat. He represents the Balmoral Ward in South Belfast. Incase you’re wondering, the Balmoral Ward represents Malone, Upper Malone, Finaghy, Musgrave, Windsor and Blackstaff areas of Belfast.

Niall has his own blog called The Belfast Stoop where he discusses council business, SDLP issues, and just general ranting.

Niall has just done a YouTube interview for WIMPS (Where Is My Public Servant?) which you can see above! It’s a good interview - Niall speaks up for young people who get an unwarranted bad press, he talks about homophobic MP Iris Robinson, and he explains how young people can get involved in politics through different groups, youth wings and political parties.

(from http://thesdlp.bebo.com/ )

SDLP Cllr Colin McGrath, who was recently elected Chairman of Down District Counci, discusses recent events and council duties in Down District, in his 2nd YouTube diary.

(from http://thesdlp.bebo.com/ )

SDLP Cllr Colin McGrath, who was recently elected Chairman of Down District Council, has decided to produce a series of video dairies so he can update constituents on what work he is doing during his term of office.

I share the concerns of Cllr Niall Kelly that while it’s an excellent video, Colin must be a bit of a headbanger in his spare time.

SDLP Youth member Matthew McDermott has outlined some of the key themes to the party’s plans for an overhaul of the youth justice system.

The Lisburn Councillor told the SDLP Youth conference that re-offending rates were on the rise and we should consider new innovative methods to deal with you crime.

These include treating youth crime as a health issue and detaining youngsters only at weekend while they attended supervised rehabilitation programmes in the community during the week.

He said: “There is a clear problem with our current youth justice system. No one will deny that is the case.

“Anti-social behaviour is on the rise, while rates of offending are as high as those for re-offending.

“And those involved in the system are just as easily identifiable.

“More than half come from state care they come from underprivileged backgrounds, many lack age appropriate education, or suffer from mental health problems or substance and alcohol addiction.

“These are society’s most vulnerable and fragile individuals and by the time they come into contact with the system any potential or opportunity for development has been lost.

“At present, more than two-thirds of the youth justice budget is being spent on locking up young offenders, while a tiny proportion is going on preventative measures.

“But the biggest scandal is the current government is drawing more than half of this budget from health and social services merely to lock people up.

“In essence it is disinvesting in social care services for our most vulnerable children. Some might say locking them up and throwing away the key is the correct approach but the SDLP say the answer is much wider.

“I would argue that the youth offending is no longer a criminal justice matter but a health issue.

“It is now time to raise fundamental questions about whether the present youth justice agencies can adequately address the complex economic and social factors which are the cause of youth offending.

“Are there more effective solutions to be found outside the youth justice system in the delivery of a co-ordinated service through mainstream local authority children’s and young people providers and more effective child services?

“The SDLP is proposing a complete overhaul of the youth justice system.

“Keep and invest and roll out what works. Scrap what doesn’t. We want to see a preventative and caring approach that targets our must vulnerable and troubled children.

“A troubled child is a child in trouble. We must target those who are most at risk. If we invest in tackling their social and economic needs at early age we save later.

“More than two-thirds of children who are identified and worked with at an early age do not re-enter the youth justice system.

“We will be proposing an early intervention package – single point of contact for every targeted child to ensure proper integrated services and the highest quality of care.

“Youth conferencing deserves and demands adequate resources.

“We believe children must have a sense of citizenship instilled in them. Too many fell like they have nothing to lose and nothing to gain.

“We must make them feel part of the system – that there is help available.

“Acknowledging this as the best way forward we are under no illusion that some children and young people need to be detained and punished for the most serious of crimes.

“But custody in general, as a punishment except for serious offences should only ever be used as a last resort and then it should be to prevent reoffending.

“However, we should be imaginative and creative and look at best practice.

“Germany offers a mode that sees children detained only at weekends. They are released during the week and must attend youth conferences, programmes and courses. If they don’t they lose a day in the community.

“This system keeps children in their community, reduces detention costs and makes further savings in ensuring they attend mainstream education.

“This is proving to work for children and for safer communities with a very high success rate of preventing youth crime.

“With regards to post-release we must tackle re-offending.

“Those who re-offend often have no job, no home and no chance in life.

“Then we must work with those who have no job until they do, provide them with accommodation and offer all the necessary support.

“The SDLP is looking at a radical, smart and sensible transformation of the youth justice system that will make our streets and communities safer for all.”

SDLP Employment and Learning Spokesperson Alex Attwood MLA led a delegation of SDLP Youth to the University of Ulster to meet with the Vice Chancellor and push for radical change in the University and Students Unions treatment of political societies.

The ‘political protocol’ is a policy adopted by the university and the students union to ‘govern’ how political societies function on campus. SDLP Youth have been challenging the protocol for a number of years at the University as it restricts very basic freedoms.

The protocol has caused much contention and SDLP representatives have been asked to leave the UU Campus, as it doesn’t allow representatives to be present on Fresher’s Fayre, a busy day for all societies.

Speaking after the meeting SDLP Youth representative, Councillor Matthew McDermott said,

“the meeting was very positive and productive. SDLP Youth have been at the forefront of fighting to have this restriction removed. It seems that there could now at last be movement on the protocol and restrictions on political societies lifted.

The Vice Chancellor acknowledged that the North has moved forward, that political activity at university was very important for students and that the ‘political protocol should be looked at.

He agreed to seek that the Student Union president revisit the area and hopefully this is the beginning of the end of the protocol and its arbitrary conditions.

Political activity is very important to many students and the protocol is unjustified, unfair and discriminatory against those who wish to express their political opinion. We have always argued for its immediate abandonment and for political societies to be treated like any other society.”

The SDLP’s three young Councillors of Armagh City and District Council have expressed their grave concerns about an Internet List which has named a number of local youths. The trio have appealed to all young people to remain calm and to talk about their problems with someone. They have also commended the actions of the Health Trust and the PSNI for contacting young people to provide support and advice.

SDLP Armagh City Councillor Mealla Bratton, who represents the City area, where many young people have been contact said, “I am shocked by this revelation, as will many people from across the City. None of us can imagine what it must be like for a young person to be informed that they are named in such a sinister list. But I appeal to all those being contacted by the Police and Health Trust to remain calm.

“Youth suicide and self harm is becoming an increasingly difficult problem to tackle. Too many local families have had to deal with the untimely loss of their loved ones through suicide and none of us want to see that to happen to any other family or community.

“Any young person who is concerned or who may want to talk through their problems should seek help without delay – whether that is through the Samaritans, school or family member.

“Whoever is responsible for this list should really be ashamed of themselves. Young people are under enough pressure without having to deal with this type of trauma. I would urge anyone who may be able to assist police in this investigation to come forward immediately to put an end to this torment for so many local youths.”

Councillor Sharon Haughey, who is a member of the Southern Health Council has also expressed her despair at a list published on the Internet naming local youths.

Cllr Haughey said, “Over recent weeks, people in the Cusher ward have had to deal firsthand with the tragedy and heartbreak of youth suicide, as three young men took their own lives in Laurelvale. At that time, there was much speculation about this so-called ‘internet list’.

“It is extremely worrying that we now have confirmation of this list and the fact that it details the names of a number of local youths. I am completely shocked and sickened that someone would create such a nasty thing.

“I welcome the actions of the local PSNI and the Southern Health and Social Care Trust in visiting young people who are named and providing them with the necessary support.

“No young person should have to deal with such an ordeal, and unfortunately this shows us all how evil people can use new technology to prey on young people.

“I plea with all those who have been informed of this list to stay strong and not to worry. No-one ever has to suffer in silence, there are many different types of support services available for those feeling vulnerable. And most of all, family members and friends can be there in times of needs. Young people should not allow any problem to fester in silence.

“I urge anyone who may know anything about this list to come forward to the authorities immediately. We need to put an end to this type of bullying.”

Keady Councillor Thomas O’Hanlon said, “I understand that Police and Social Workers have visited the a number of young people in recent days in Armagh following information which was discovered on a web site, and included the names of some young people who tragically died recently.”

“Whilst there is nothing specific relating to suicide, it is important that the information is followed up on immediately. We have sadly witnessed an increase in youth suicides and self harming in recent months in this area.”

“I would commend Social Services and Police on their swift action. I would appeal to those on this list or anyone feeling vulnerable to seek help, speak to someone and don’t feel like you have to remain alone.”

“Our young people are undoubtedly this community’s greatest asset, they are the future and offer so much the future of this country and I would reiterate the view that it is the responsibility of us all in society to try to keep our young people safe.”

The SDLP last night co-opted 21 year old Matthew McDermott onto Lisburn City Council. Mr McDermott takes the seat left vacant by Patricia Lewsley. Matthew is now the youngest Councillor on the island of Ireland. Speaking after his co-option Cllr McDermott stated:

“I am delighted and honoured to take my place on the council as an SDLP representative. I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor Patricia Lewsley who worked tirelessly to promote a spirit of equality in the council chamber. She also fought hard for her constituents. I intend to do the same. As a young person from the Dunmurry area I am well aware of the concerns, needs and hopes of the community. In the coming weeks I will be raising a number of priority issues which I will be addressing in council including housing, under investment, and job training programmes for the area.

There is much work to be done and the council is the forum to push much of this work through. I look forward to working with my colleagues Brian Heading and Peter O’Hagan in providing a strong, united, nationalist voice on the council.”

PROFILE

Matthew McDermott is a 21-year-old student reading for a degree in International Studies at Queen’s University Belfast.

He has been an active member of the SDLP and SDLP Youth for three years and sits on the youth executive. He is also a Councillor for Queen’s Students Union.

Matthew grew up in Poleglass and now lives in Lagmore, in the DEA of Dunmurry Cross.

Matthew is active in local and international politics, both at Queen’s and for the SDLP.

Matthew volunteers for HomePlus, a homeless outreach service in Belfast City Centre and also works part-time for the Daughters of Mercy Charity, providing assistance to residents in temporary accommodation, namely hostels, who are seeking re-housing.

He has a two-year-old son, also called Matthew and enjoys the challenge of fatherhood and it’s rewards.

He enjoys history, particularly modern history and Irish history and is a keen sports fan.

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El Blogador - “SDLP For The Future”
Lisburn Today Newspaper - DUNMURRY SEAT TAKEN BY IRELAND’S YOUNGEST COUNCILLOR