• A FEW weeks ago I met a resident who told me about a technique which teaches children about respect and kindness.

I was told it aims to improve standards, achievement, respect and reduce exclusions and bring about other benefits. Apparently this technique is being adopted in South Africa, Israel and soon in the USA. I suggested a deputation to the Children Schools & Family Committee (CS&F).

The resident wrote to the chair of the committee (Cllr Oliver Lewis – Labour) to ask for permission to make a deputation at the meeting on February 25. Cllr Lewis refused, saying this had nothing to do with the committee. From its possible outcomes I would beg to differ.

I am the Conservative councillor who sits on the CS&F committee. I attended the meeting and explained the possible merits of the teaching and in light of Caroline Flack’s suicide and the renewed emphasis on kindness, I called upon the committee chair to reconsider.

The committee chair again refused to hear the deputation at the next CS&F meeting. I reminded him of the Labour leader’s desire to be more accountable to the public and to include public engagement.

I reiterated that the deputation is a mere two to three minutes of time and that it wouldn’t take much time out of the next meeting to hear the deputation which might be of interest to committee members and indeed officers.

Cllr Lewis refused to change his mind. This is terribly disappointing and I wonder if it would be different if the request came from a Labour councillor.

CLLR STEPHEN STARK
Conservative Councillor
Hampstead Town Ward