Islington Fairness Commission meeting 7 September

The next meeting of the Islington Fairness Commission will take place next Tuesday, 7 September. The commission is is a group of  academics, councillors and council partners that

looks at ways of making Islington fairer for everyone, and the theme of September's meeting is "Closing the gap from the bottom up".

The

Islington Fairness Commission has been set up to look into how to make

the borough a fairer place. "Despite its wealthy image," says a spokesperson, "Islington is the eighth most deprived local

authority area in England, with extremes of rich and poor." The previous meeting found substantial economic and social disparity between owner-occupiers and council tenants in the borough.

The Commission meets regularly to discuss issues such as health, housing, social

care, education and training, employment, crime and safety,

democracy, sustainability, environment and economy. All meetings are open to the public, and all borough residents are welcome to attend and take part in discussion and debate.

Tuesday's meeting is the second of seven, which will hear evidence about and examine inequality

in Islington and produce an interim report in December and a final

action report in April 2011. The theme of "closing the gap" will include discussions on child poverty, older people in Islington, and housing.

In addition to Islington Councillors and chair Professor Richard Wilkinson, the commission is made up of representatives from Islington Police, NHS, Homes for Islington, Islington Trades Council,

Islington Chamber of Commerce, City and Islington College, Cripplegate

Foundation, and London School of Economics.

Cllr Andy Hull, vice-chair of the commission, says: "We're determined

to do everything we can to level the playing field in our boorough. Those of us on the commission mean business and are working hard

to come up with concrete proposals to make Islington a fairer place. I'd encourage residents to come along, see what's happening, give their views and get involved."

The meeting takes place on Tuesday 7 September from 7.30pm to 10pm at Andover Estate Community Centre. Residents can turn up on the night without booking; if you have access requirements or would like to submit evidence to the commission, see this page for contact information.