Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/695/13237
From The Socialist newspaper, 23 November 2011
Save Coventry Sure Start
Dave Nellist, Socialist Party councillor, Coventry
Earlier this year Coventry's Labour-led council proposed to remove £1 million from the annual £1.8 million budget for day care at Sure Start centres in the city. This was to plug a financial hole in other parts of the children's budget.
The proposal caused an outcry from parents and has resulted in a petition of over 3,000 in opposition. The parents' campaign was supported by local trade unionists, socialists, and other members of Coventry Against the Cuts.
The consultation has now finished. In addition to attending the local consultation meeting in Hillfields, I submitted a response in support of the parent's campaign:
"I am fundamentally opposed to the reduction from full-time care to sessional care, and the ending of any care to the under-twos. At a time of rising unemployment, placing a further barrier in front of working parents is wrong.
I also think it is a fundamental mistake to limit services to those said to be the most disadvantaged. I believe bringing together children from mixed backgrounds and abilities would continue to be beneficial to all the children and parents attending. That, in fact, I understood to be the main ethos of Sure Start.
I do not agree that the council should withdraw from this area of provision and place its hope in the private or voluntary sector filling the gap. I believe the experience, qualifications and commitment of our own [council] staff should be recognised, valued and preserved - not cut in this way.
The resources exist to 'hold the line'. The city council currently has £11.5 million in unallocated reserves - half "to cover unforeseen financial problems" and half "to help manage further unforeseen issues". The council could allocate £0.5 million in 2011/12 from those reserves and, if necessary, £1 million in 2012/13, while engaging with the parents, staff and local communities as part of a joint campaign to pressurise the government to fully fund this essential frontline service.
That would be the inclusive approach - passing on the government's cuts without challenge will end up with the council rightly sharing the blame."
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In The Socialist 23 November 2011:
Pensions' strike, N30
Enough is enough! Make N30 the start of a fight to stop all cuts
Socialist Party feature
Capitalism is crisis - there is an alternative - fight for socialism!
Socialist Party news and analysis
Con-Dems worsen the housing crisis
Massive job cuts undermining NHS
Millions unemployed - workers and students must unite and fight!
The Socialist - Readers' comments
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Jarrow marchers put forward an alternative
No answers from politicians on Newsnight
Support the anti-cuts election challenge
State intimidation of young protesters
Tories and Labour fail to give 'Any Answers'
Women: sick of sexism, discrimination and cuts?
Mansfield - build houses, create jobs
Pensions protest in Maude's constituency
International socialist news and analysis
Why Europe's capitalist leaders cannot save the floundering eurozone project
Ruling PSOE battered in Spanish general election
Syria: Eight months of mass protests met with bloody brutality
Egyptian masses fight for real change
Socialist Party workplace news
Greece and Italy get unelected technocrats - Southampton gets chief executives!
Construction workers fight pay cuts
Obituary
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