Mariam Kamish, Secretary Caerphilly Trades Council (personal capacity) and Socialist Party
Caerphilly Council’s cabinet is proposing to close two South Wales Valleys cultural icons and end an essential service to the community. Not out of financial necessity – but on the advice of a consultancy firm.
The plans – out for public consultation until 10 September – include the closure of Blackwood Miners’ Institute – beloved for championing local acts, while delivering big names like Black Sabbath and Mark Steel – but also as a venue for public meetings and local community groups.
Blackwood Miners is a beautiful, well-maintained, recently renovated 99-year-old building, built by miners and their families.
Llancaiach Fawr, a Tudor Manor House dating to 1540, would also close – losing popular ghost tours and re-enactments and a popular tourist attraction.
Most shocking of all are proposals to axe Meals Direct (ex-Meals on Wheels). This would rob the most vulnerable people in Caerphilly borough of their one hot meal a day. But the council says it has no statutory duty to provide hot meals.
The cuts of £1 million a year have been proposed by consultancy firm Perago, whom the council have paid an estimated £2 million for ‘help’ with restructuring.
All Caerphilly Council departments underspent last year. Jointly, they returned £8.2 million from their allocated budgets. Council reserves stand at £184 million.
Even by the standards of Welsh Labour, there’s no financial need to lose these irreplaceable institutions.
Caerphilly Council has already agreed £45 million of cuts – and plans £44 million more over the next two years.
The Socialist Party says:
- Keep Meals Direct and the venues open! Dip into the council’s £184 million reserves as a temporary measure
- Build a mass campaign of communities and trade unions to defend all council services and jobs
- Band together with other councils to demand adequate funding from Labour Senedd and Westminster government
- Councillors – represent those who elected you or stand aside for those prepared to fight for what our communities need
