CAMDEN’S NEW Lib Dem/Tory coalition council have embarked on a £40 million cuts programme to jobs and services.
Hugo Pierre
Over 350 jobs could go, particularly in services to some of Camden’s most vulnerable people. Plans have been discovered showing that they may even try to sell off local care homes for the elderly!
They are currently ‘reviewing’ homeless accommodation, which could lead to 170 job losses and lower pay for staff. They also plan to cut the meals service in these hostels. Another cut would see either the abolition or privatisation of the emergency 24-hour alarm scheme for the elderly and vulnerable. Meanwhile tenants will see a 5.3% rent increase.
The councillors agreed to put up charges for a wide range of services to cover what they call a spending gap. They are closing after-school and holiday play projects.
This immediate ‘spending gap’ is mainly of their own making. The council has millions of pounds in reserves and received the highest government grant increase, 6.2%, of any council in London this year. The cuts are cynically hidden behind their claim to not increase the council tax.
Ironically, Labour councillors have joined the anti-cuts campaign even though they set in place many reviews and policies now being used to cut services.
The council still spends millions of pounds on consultants to draw up spending cuts and attack services.
UNISON has organised a public meeting to launch a community campaign against the cuts. UNISON members, particularly in the departments under threat, are preparing to take action to stop these cuts.
