Katie Simpson and Amy Mace, Northampton Socialist Party
13 activists met on 24 July to discuss the future of the ‘community hubs’ that had been unceremoniously shut down after the council cut their funding. West Northamptonshire Council was run by the Tories, now it’s Reform.
Staff had just been informed that they were all made redundant. But we made a plan of action. Not only to ‘save our hubs’, but to expand the campaign to all threatened services.
Northampton Against Cuts was formed. The following day, the awful news broke that 250 vulnerable adults living in Northampton face eviction as early as mid-August, with no alternative housing options.
West Northamptonshire Council demanded that the NAASH charity provide evidence for 450 supported-living claims, in a short space of time. Despite NAASH submitting evidence for the vast majority of claims on time, and offering to refund the rest, the council closed all the claims.
On 26 July, Northampton Against Cuts rallied to save NAASH. People were shocked and appalled, and many were ready to put their names down for the campaign.
Northampton Against Cuts held a public meeting on 31 July. NAASH worker Jim Treliving spoke, reading a statement from the charity trustees.
“NAASH has been involved for many years… in support of homeless people in Northampton. All those supported are people who need accommodation assistance and support, and have been recommended by West Northants Council.
“Recovering benefits from West Northants Council, on behalf of the clients who are accommodated… is NAASH’s principle income. But West Northants Council has ceased making any payments, which has caused NAASH’s financial position to become impossible.
“Without that funding, NAASH will not be able to continue… Timing is now critical, unless resolved immediately, NAASH will have to close.”
Socialist Party member Steve Score, chair of Leicestershire Anti-Cuts Alliance, shared lessons from the campaign there. Jo Morris, who managed the community hubs, shared her and her colleagues’ experience of suddenly being made redundant.
Katie is now chair of Northampton Against the Cuts. At the meeting, she said: “We need to unite with every section of our community against these attacks.”
We decided to have a protest on 9 August. Jim closed the meeting, saying he thought he “was alone in trying to fight for the residents, and was pleased to find a campaign ready to help”.
Northampton Against Cuts demands the council:
- Stop supported-housing evictions – reinstate housing benefit payments backdated to when they were stopped
- Fully fund residents/services in NAASH, Oasis House, Hope, and other vital services for people facing homelessness
- Expand homeless services in Northampton – ensure suitable housing for all
- Stop all cuts – scrap PFI privatisation, and use reserves to fund vital services
