The Labour Party in Croydon

Labour: fighting for you across Croydon and Sutton

 

Tories Voluntary Sector Axe

Monday 12 July the Tory Croydon Council cabinet agreed to cut grants of £1.2m to the voluntary sector by over 60%, taking the grants to 41 community organisations to zero. They left Cllr Vidhi Mohan (communities) to answer questions and Cllr Margaret Mead (Social services) hid behind an officer rather than answer questions herself. There were about 200 people protesting at the meeting and some were not allowed in even though there were seats.

The Tory rationale was: the Labour government left a mess; Cuts are inevitable; the Leader and one other Tory councillor decide in secret which organisations will be offered £350,000 to continue some services; the previous council (Tory) does not know what these organisations were doing.

Cllr Tony Newman Labour leader said:

The financial crisis was caused by greedy bankers and fund-managers; it was a global crisis affecting every country. Savings need to be made but there are choices. The ConLib government chose to take drastic cuts, effecting pubic and private sector, rather than take gradual action to protect economic growth; the Tory council chose to cut the voluntary sector rather than delay the building of a new HQ; The Tory Leader chose to increase his and the Tory cabinet allowances. He will be paid £55,000, up from £45,000.

Cllr Louisa Woodley Labour spokesperson for communities and voluntary sector said:

The Voluntary sector gives value for money. They provide services directly to people in need, advice, job search, supplementary education, social care, home help, carer support, and end of life support among the services. If the Tories do not know what they are getting it is because they are not monitoring them. They have no criteria for the crumbs they are offering. They did not have the courtesy and courage to attend a community event on Sunday last.

The community is protesting. Please join the campaign. This is what you can do.

Check the Croydon Advertiser website. / voluntary sector.

Print out the attached petition form. Collect signatures and send it back to us. We will try to keep you informed of the campaign.

Come to the Council meeting on Monday 19^th July at 6.30pm at the Town Hall Katharine Street. Lobby from 6pm.

Write to or email your councillor

http://www.writetothem.com/

(especially if you have a Tory councillor). 

Write to Councillor Fisher, the leader of the Tory council. Mike.Fisher@croydon.gov.uk

I am sending this to as many people as I can. Please pass it to your friends, colleagues, churches, and community contacts.

Maggie Mansell

Norbury councillor and past mayor of Croydon