Forum Topic

West London Citizens Assembly - Lord Wei to talk

The highlight of this year's West London Citizens Annual Assembly is David Cameron's Policy Advisor on the Big Society, Lord Wei, who will be presenting on how the Big Society idea will effect people in West London. H&F Councillor Harry Phibbs will also be presenting on the Big Society from a local perspective.Also invited are the Council leaders of H&F, K&C and Westminster in their first joint opportunity to talk directly with west London citizens since the announcement of the merger of some council back office functions.The Assembly is at Hammersmith Town Hall on Thursday 18 November at 7pm. Ask your school or church if they are members of London Citizens. Click here to get email updates http://www.citizensuk.org/

G Finnemore ● 5163d5 Comments

London Citizens is a community organising organisation. It helps and trains local communities address the issues they face. The members have elected to focus on organising ending poverty, improving housing and making London safer.  Yes, The members in H&F are currently all faith-based - perhaps that's is because faith institutions are more organised themselves into both wanting to fix these issues and in joining up. Some groups are not suited to joining as they tend to discuss issues rather than take action.London Citizens certainly has no desire to take over any public services. It's focus is on holding decision-makers e.g. politicians, business people etc. to account. Coca Cola and L'Oreal have agreed to increase the wages of their cleaners by 30% as a direct result of London Citizens. Also Westfield agreed to pay a living wage to all their employees as a result of London Citizens' action. H&F Council now recognise Citizens as a civic network in the Borough and discussions are beginning.I suggest this string ends now. If anyone would like to know more look at their website http://www.citizensuk.org/ and/or contact the local Citizens organiser, julie.camacho@londoncitizens.org.uk. I'm also happy to meet up and expain more - send me a direct response by clicking on my name.

G Finnemore ● 5149d

"It's agenda is driven by the members and it helps the members organise."What does this mean given that all the organisations are faith related? Organise what?"Other Boroughs have school, theatre groups and other non-faith institutions as members" - but this one doesn't, it seems.

Vivienne James ● 5151d

"As you can see it is a diverse organisation"No, they're all religious organisations, aren't they?  That's not very diverse considering the country's mostly not religious these days.  Why should we be forced to have public services hived off to religious organisations because some ghastly libertarians have infiltrated the Conservatives?

Thomas Barry ● 5151d

Thanks for the response. London Citizens is a member organisation. Current members in H&F are: Al Muntada Al Islami Trust, All Saints Fulham, Hammersmith & Fulham Methodist Circuit, Holy Cross, Parsons Green Church, Holy Ghost & St Stephens Askew, St Lukes Uxbridge Rd, St Paul’s Hammersmith, St Thomas of Canterbury Fulham and St Stephens Uxbridge Rd. As you can see it is a diverse organisation. Other boroughs have schools, theatre groups and other non-faith institutions as members. It's agenda is driven by the members and it helps the members organise. Recent successes here in H&F are to get 30% pay rise to the Living Wage for cleaners at L'Oreal and Coca Cola.  There is a meeting at 9.15-10.15am Tuesday 7 Dec at St Stephen's Hall Gayford Rd to talk about how to resolve the problem of parents who find it difficult to return to work when they have children at school and can't afford pre and after-school child care. Please do come along and bring as many as you like. The organiser is ameliahartog@gmail.com (07800529982). H&F Council have been invited.If you have an organisation that would like to join London Citizens or just find out more contact julie.camacho@londoncitizens.org.uk (07792110260).http://www.citizensuk.org/

G Finnemore ● 5155d

It is such a shame that these events get poor publicity in advance. So many more people would attend if it was circulated better in a timely way, and the accusation of apathy would be less deserved.

Vivienne James ● 5159d