Councillor Jake Morrison

Wavertree Labour, 108 Prescot Road, L7 0JA 07527 619 125 Jake.Morrison@liverpool.gov.uk

Dear Member, As I reach my first year of being your local Councillor, I want to update you on the work I have been doing over the past year. I would also like to thank you for selecting me in the first place, and I look forward to working with Helen Casstles as our next Councillor, and the next one in two years time..

Community engagement
One of my priorities for the past year has been to increase Community engagement in Wavertree. During my campaign I could see the lack of community spirit, and when the decision to close Our Lady of Good Help Parish Club was made, I knew that this would have an effect. The first event I called for was organised in Northway, it involved many partner organisations. We had a fun day in the Recreation Ground during half term, which was followed up by a Q&A at the School in the evening, where we heard about local issues and had partners there to answer specific questions. This was a success for a number of reasons, but from this we have seen the establishment of The Friends of Northway Park Group, a committee of local residents from Wavertree & Childwall who now organise events and discuss issues surrounding the park. The Most recent event was at Picton Road/Wellington Road area. After meeting with one of the local housing association officers, we organised for another big event in the area, with the goal of setting up another residents group. We had a big clean up day cleaning the roads, alleyways, the railway line, replacing bins, knocking on doors to take up issues amongst many other things. This was another successful event with good feedback from residents, the next step will be to enable & assist local residents to form a community group.

Safety in Wavertree
When out knocking on doors and speaking to residents, we hear lots of stories of burglaries and of people feeling unsafe in their own homes & communities. As part of our local neighbourhood fund from Liverpool City Council, I purchased a number of Solar-powered security lights from my share. There has been a high demand of these, in which we have targeted advertisement at areas which have recently experienced a spurt of burglaries. We will continue to have this on offer because they have been useful for residents in helping them feel that bit safer.

We have also been working with Merseyside Residents Network, headed by Paul Taylor. We have done a number of areas in Wavertree with their scheme. Merseyside Residents Network works with Morrison PLC, they fit door-chains & mirrors to front doors for residents free of charge. Working with Paul Taylor, I have identified areas which are most vulnerable to burglaries, and with the local Neighbourhood Police Team, we have headed out and conducted the scheme. This has been extremely useful in helping residents to feel safer, because home safety advice is given out on the day, and residents have the opportunity to speak to their local police team & Cllr at their homes.

Meetings/Events
I attend the monthly Have Your Say police meetings, in which residents raise issues in their area for the police to take action, some issues also include stuff that fall under the Council, and it is important we hear what is going on. I also attend regular events including bingo sessions at numerous locations in the area. This is useful to hear what is going on in the area, and some important casework issues have been raised during conversations.

BNP Conference
The British National Party held their Annual Conference in Wavertree in October 2011. Along with Cllr Joe Anderson & other Labour Councillors, I joined the protest outside the venue. We protested against the views & policies of the BNP, and we were joined by local residents passing by. Local residents were not informed of this high-profile conference taking place, and we protested for the two days.

Events outside of Wavertree:

There are a number of things I have done as a Councillor outside of Wavertree. I was invited to speak/be part of the events below, as a (young) Councillor, or in UNISONs case, as a UNISON member & sponsored Councillor. Panel & Event Invites - UNISON National Conference What future for young people fringe event, speaking about the future for young people, taking into consideration the cuts from Government which impacts on young people. - UNISON Labour Link Forum Britains largest Public Sector Union, to officially welcome the forum to the city. - Liverpool Malayalee Cultural Association to inaugurate their new youth forum aspect of the Association, at their annual Onam festival gathering. (Attendance of no less than 500 members) - The Labour Party Annual Conference Britains Lost Talent: Tackling Youth Unemployment a fringe meeting at the national conference, sitting alongside Ed Balls MP (Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer) & Susan Nash ((National) Chair of Young Labour). - European Youth Parliament United Kingdom EurVoice panel event - an opportunity for young people in the area to question a panel, alongside figures such as Edwina Currie (former MP & Government Minister).

Thank you for taking time to read this. Please feel free to get in touch with me. Write to: Councillor Jake Morrison Wavertree Labour Party 108 Prescot Road Liverpool L7 0JA Email: Jake@Jake4wavertree.co.uk Telephone: 07527 619 125