THE first priority for whoever wins the Liden, Eldene and Park South ward should be sorting out provision for the area’s teenagers and children.

Youngsters have a habit of congregating in large numbers in places like Cavendish Square where some consider them to be a nuisance, but there are limited facilities for them to go and spend their free time.

The Shop in Cavendish Square provides support to many in the local community, and the manager, Dorothy Brown, said their main concern was a lack of youth facilities.

She said: “Having spoken to many people in the area that come into The Shop one of the major issues is young people.

“It’s not really anti-social behaviour because they aren’t being disruptive and there’s just nowhere for them to go.

“Because they don’t have a job and they can’t afford to get across town to where there are facilities, so they gather in public spaces.”

Other issues include stemming the demand for computers for jobseekers.

Dorothy said: “Those on jobseeker’s allowance have to look for jobs every day, but they have to do it online. It just assumes that everybody has access to a computer and the internet.

“The library is always full of people using the computers.”

The Liden, Eldene and Park South ward has been a Labour stronghold since it was established.

In the 2012 election all three Labour candidates secured the seat with more than 1,200 votes each after a 33 per cent turn out.

LIDEN, ELDENE AND PARK SOUTH CANDIDATES:
Graham CHERRY (Conservative)
David MILES (Green Party)
Derique MONTAUT (Labour)
Hannah PAJAK MCCANE (Liberal Democrat)
Bob SHEPPARD (UK Independence Party)
2012 election turnout: 33 per cent (8632)