DOMESTIC abuse, dentist access, and the sale of vapes to underage children were all issues discussed at Wigan’s latest council meeting. 

With many wearing white ribbons to raise awareness of domestic abuse, some councillors stood up to speak about their experiences and how they can raise the issue to help others.

Coun Shelley Guest said: “I am one of the statistics. I wish there was this kind of support 20-years-ago. I had 15 fab years with my partner, yet I still break down and I still blame myself. I know all violence in relationships is wrong. 

“It is the women that suffer the worst violence.”

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'It never will be accceptable'

Coun Mary Callaghan added: “It is not acceptable and it never will be acceptable. What I went through was quite violent and no one knows about it in this chamber.

“We need to stand up and speak about it because it will never stop if we don’t.”

Coun Steve Jones, said he’d been on ‘both sides of it’, referring to a court case in September 2022 in which he admitted to causing actual bodily harm to his wife.

The hearing was told she needed stitches after the local politician threw a bag of rubbish, which contained a glass jar. He was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and go on a 31-day ‘Building Better Relationships’ programme. Coun Jones also had to pay his wife £500 compensation.

A motion promoting domestic abuse awareness was unanimously passed.

Increasing concerns of children smoking electronic vapes

Coun Jenny Bullen, portfolio holder for children and families, asked colleagues to support Trading Standards in its crackdown on vape sales to children.

“An analysis of vapes used in schools showed children using them could be inhaling more than twice the daily safe amount of lead, and nine times the safe amount of nickel,” she said.

“Brightly coloured disposable vapes, which are available in a variety of flavours, are the most popular product among teens and most are bought from corner shops.

“Teachers and parents have expressed concerns about the increased availability of the products and the fact that some pupils say they have become addicted to nicotine through vaping.”

The motion was unanimously voted through.

Government 'missing in action' on dentistry crisis

In other business, Coun Paul Kenny urged the council to back a motion urging the government to tackle the NHS dentist crisis, quoting research claiming that in 2015, 57 per cent of adults were seen by a dentist, comapred to 43pc in 2022.

In 2016, 65pc of children were seen, compared to 51pc last year, he said, adding: “The government must put NHS dentistry on a secure long-term footing, but in a way that enables our constituents, to see a dentist in a reasonable time frame, straight away if necessary and rewards our dental professionals in a manner that ensures they remain within the NHS family.

“To date, the government have been missing in action, dentists have been voting with their feet and patients in Wigan have been paying with their teeth.  We need NHS dentistry fit for the modern world. Let us get on with it and do it now.”