BRIDGWATER LABOUR COUNCILLORS BACK THE TOWN'S YOUTH AS COUNTY SCRUTINY COMMITTEE REJECTS YOUTH SERVICE CUTS

Kayleigh Ashworth -
speaking up for the youth of Bridgwater

When young people from the Rollercoaster Youth centre in East Bridgwater contacted their local  Labour  Party about the proposed cuts by Somerset County Council, their ward councillors Ian Tucker and Leigh Redman promised to support them to the max. At the Town Council meeting in December Cllr Redman spoke passionately in support of the young people who attended the meeting and put their own case and the Town Council passed a motion to write to the County to protest the cutbacks.
At today's County Council Scrutiny Committee, Cllr Ian Tucker  (Labour,Bridgwater Dunwear) went with the young people in their bus and here reports back from the meeting.

"I have just returned from the SCC scrutiny meeting concerning the youth cuts which took place at County Hall. The following is a brief outline of the meeting as I saw it.

There was one apology for absence and this was from Cllr John Osman,(Conservative,Wells)  the portfolio holder for children and young people and who will make the key decision on January 30th.

Attending included nine young people (five from Bridgwater and four from Kings Mead College) two young trainee youth workers, an ex youth worker now a UNITE activist and a serving youth worker.

The following spoke during public speaking time -  Myself, Cllr Julian Taylor (Labour, Bridgwater Eastover),  Mick Lerry (Labour, Bridgwater Victoria)  SDC. Steve Ross, Edward Gains TDBC, the ex youth worker, the young people from Kings Mead who all made indevidual statements and  Kayleigh Ashworth & Jess Pear from Bridgwater who made an excellent speech taking it in turns.

All speakers spoke in support of the youth work being done at present and expressed their sadness that cuts have had to be made to such an important service.

There was a great deal of passion felt especially when the young people spoke.

Robert Sampson (Group Manager, Community Services 0 to 19) then ran through the report detailing the options that are available. He stated that the  favoured option was (c) as  it directed maximum funds to the voluntary and community sectors. This was directly  opposite to what speakers were saying as they believed option (a) was the best of three evils.

During the debate  SCC  councillors, both on the scrutiny committee and those observing, were  generally in favour of option (a). Very passionate statements were made by nearly everyone.

Cllr Steve Ross asked why councillors had not been consulted. Cllr John Bailey (Lib Dem, Martock) stated that  the economies do not add up and where is John Osman? Cllr Derrick Yeomans (Conservative, Langport) said that volunteers would be hard to find, that there would be a risk in youngsters overspilling into crime.

Cllr Ann Bown (Conservative, Bridgwater West)  said her ward  is in need of help,however "we can't conjure up money". That was why said she stated that she could not support option (c) and would vote for option (a)

Cllr Dave Loveridge
 "Youth will become dissafected"

Cllr Ross Henley (Lib Dem,Blackdown) asked "what is the purpose of having a budget for mini buses when there will be no youth service?"

Cllr Dave Loveridge (Labour, Bridgwater North) said  " it is important to involve the police as young people will become disaffected."

Cllr Sam Crabb  (Libdem Ilminster) stated he was disappointed that the Tories had got rid of the  youth scrutiny, that he had not seen an impact assesment, there were no budget details, why was £2.5M going into reserves? and we can't shunt costs around. It is not good enough to tell people they are going to be made redundant and then consult. "tell John  Osman this is not good enough"  Another councillor  stated that she had a very important meeting this morning at a place called Musgrove Park,but had thought this scrutiny far too important to miss. So what is so important that Cllr Osman, as portfolio for children and young people, has decided not to come.

Cllr Alan Paul (Libdem Taunton West) asked how can it be cheaper to pay youth workers redundancy and then have to help fund training and re-employ them.

Cllr Terry Napper (Conservative,Street) was the only one to stress that money had to be saved and this was one of the ways to do this.

Cllr Cathy Bakewell (Libdem Coker) proposed the scrutiny committee recommend option (a) with an additional £250K .

Cllr Andy Govier-
Chairmans casting vote

This was seconded and voted 4 for and 4 against,the chairman Cllr Andrew Govier (Labour, Wellington)  having the deciding vote for the proposal.

I believe all councillors would have voted for option (a ) it was the additional £250K which was under question.

To conclude a very good meeting, an eye opener for the young people and for me come to that.

Ian Tucker (Labour, Bridgwater Dunwear) said at the meeting  "All three options rely on voluntary and community take over. This means unqualified staff  looking after some of our most vulnerable children. Who will train them ? Option (c) states qualified staff will be made redundant on March 31st. Little more than 2 months time.

The present qualified staff are known and most importantly TRUSTED by the young people

Cllr Ian Tucker
 "Young people seen as a soft option"

Once they are gone they are gone for ever.

Where are all the volunteers coming from ??
My ward is in the bottom 5% of the country for severe deprivation
With the best will in the world, it is not realistic to expect residence of the most deprived areas to have the specific skills to provide support to particularly vulnerable young people.
Local residence have enough to contend with, living from day to day can be a struggle without getting involved with youth work.

These drastic cuts have tragically already been agreed, our young people seen as a soft option.

Bridgwater Town Council believes option (a) is the best way to mitigate some of the effects that are going to be felt by some of the  most vulnerable young people in our society, particularly in deprived areas.
We need time to put plans in place including ways of keeping  the youth workers we so importantly need.

Finally what a different world this would be if we all put our children first and not as a soft target, after all they are the future. "

Cllr Mick Lerry
 "Welcomes the decision"

After the meeting Cllr Mick Lerry, leader of Sedgemoor Labour Group said ""Labour Councillors from Sydenham, Victoria and Eastover represented their Wards at a Somerset County Council Scrutiny meeting, regarding the proposed options for the Youth Service. Labour Councillors welcomed the decision to accept the recommendation advocated by the Labour Councillors and Young People from the Sydenham area. However there is still a danger that the County Council will try change the recommendation from the Scrutiny Committee. The Youth Service at present in Bridgwater relies on one full time Youth Worker and three part time Workers, but many volunteers also assist at Community Centres. If the Youth Workers go then so will the volunteers and the Youth Service provision in Bridgwater will disappear". 

Open Letter from Sedgemoor Labour Group -" Think Again on Tesco's "

The time has come for the Sedgemoor District and the Somerset  County Councils to decide if they really want to sell the Brewery Field and Northgate Sites to Tesco.

We know that the Tesco share capital has gone down £6 billion due to adverse trading conditions.  We know that when Tesco comes to towns that other businesses have to close. See Rosie Boycotts book on how Illminster and Tiverton were changed by Tesco, no enhancement in those towns, Or Tescopoly by Simms on how globally Tesco exists to dominate all other traders.

Our Councils need the cash returns from the sale of the site. Why not have good quality housing and recreational facilities? This would enhance the Bridgwater Town Centre and support local traders. We don’t need yet another supermarket, we need a vibrant shopping centre, good homes and recreational space.

Councillors its not too late to change your minds.

Sedgemoor Labour Group

LABOUR PROMISES 'ALTERNATIVE BUDGET' AT DECEMBER COUNCIL

Mick Lerry "Alternative Budget"

As Sedgemoor District Council held it's final meeting of 2011 the Labour group made it's own New Years Resolution to present an Alternative budget for the first time in years. 

Labour leader Cllr Mike Lerry (Bridgwater Victoria) said "Much of the budget we can go along with but there are key areas of difference and we have made manifesto commitments regarding Housing, Homelessness and Communities. We have to look at the level of tax raised because Sedgemoor has traditionally been a low spending Council and while we don't object to the use of balances to offset cuts there are areas of great need not being addressed."  So far the Tory budget has still been presented to various committees in bits and pieces and would not be fully open for discussion until February. Cllr Lerry promised that this year Labour would continue to comment on the developing Council budget but also promised that this year Labour would submit an 'Alternative budget'.

                             OPPOSE TORY SELL OFF OF QUANTOCK HILLS

Also at the council meeting Labour went on the attack about two areas of cutbacks proposed by Tory Sedgemoors friends at County. Cllr Brian Smedley (Bridgwater Westover) called on the portfolio holder for Community Cllr John Swayne (North Petherton) to object to the County sell off of 2000 acres of the Quantock Hills. Cllr Swayne said he was in full agreement.    

                                  NO TO TORY CUTS TO YOUTH SERVICE

Cllr Ian Tucker (Bridgwater Dunwear) called on the  Council to intervene in the County's proposed slashing of the youth budget by 70%. "The youth are our future!" said Cllr Tucker  "We can't say it's nothing to do with us. I would ask the leader to consider forming a cross party committee to see what can be done to try to mitigate against the serious effects of these cutbacks". 

Ian Tucker-'The Youth are our future"

 Tory leader Duncan McGinty (East Polden) replied "I'm prepared to consider anything, but more weight is carried by those amongst us who are also county councillors".

                  "Are Sedgemoor  Hiding something?"

Less accommodating words came from the Tory benches as Labour ward councillor for Westover Brian Smedley called on action on West Quay where traders were facing extreme hardship with little support from the District Council  . Referring to a meeting which had suddenly been held secretly at a different date to the one suggested he said "Sedgemoor seems to be hiding something". This drew denials from the Leader who then read out a prepared statement (which in fact had been circulated to the press just as the meeting was starting) saying that the said meeting had agreed a course of action on West Quay with the other agencies (principally the County). Tories joined in the fray with Cllr Neville Jones (Burnham North) telling critics to "stop carping" and refering to the 1981 seafront collapse in Burnham taking 7 years to be repaired. Cllr Jane Morton (Huntspill) attempted to divert attention to Bridgwater Town Council  asking "What had they done? " . Cllr Smedley pointed out that in fact it was Sedgemoor who had been the Port Authority since 1974 and this "may be the reason they're nervous."

                      "Tackling the key issues"

Julian Taylor-"Community Scrutiny"

Labour deputy leader Cllr Julian Taylor (Bridgwater Eastover) presented a report as Chair of the Community Scrutiny committee which showed his committee were tackling the key issues that Bridgwater people were demanding answers to. Already this year the Committee had passed motions recognising the Community support for a Northern By-Pass and the issue of the Post Office providing an unpopular temporary location on the former Splash site.

ANGER AT TORY PLAN TO SELL OFF QUANTOCK HILLS

 Woods and moorland in designated areas of outstanding natural beauty ammounting to 1,950 acres,could be sold by Somerset County Council. The Tory controlled authority which has recently cut back it;s Arts Funding and is proposing to do the same for it's Youth service , has announced its intention to "dispose of three parcels of land" including Great Wood, Custom Common at Over Stowey, and Thorncombe Hill near Crowcombe. 

David Huxtable  the Tory-councillor responsible for the sell-off, said " I really don't think the public need to be worried about who owns it "   and maintained that the sell off would bring in "significant sums of money"  .

Letiticia Kelly, chair of the Friends of the Quantocks, said they were concerned about the management of the land under private ownership. "All the rights of way would have to stay and all the conditions of public access would have to stay," she said."So whoever buys it would have to be very publicly spirited because it's not a money spinner any of these pieces of land."

 Labours candidate in the recent District elections for the Quantocks ward, Over Stowey resident Shaun O'Byrne (left) said "Our County Council's intention to sell off nearly 2,000 acres of the Quantock Hills is a disgrace that must be stopped. This designated Area of Outstanding Beauty, the first in the United Kingdom to be so named, is for the enjoyment of the people and should stay in public hands. This is doctrinaire vandalism based upon a belief that private ownership is good and public ownership is bad. Private ownership of this land carries with it future risks for access and upkeep and I urge your readers to email or write to The Deputy County Solicitor at County Hall to oppose this proposed disposal of OUR land."

Former Labour Chairman of Sedgemoor District Council Sandy Buchanan says " As an ex-councillor, a rambler and a local historian, I strongly protest against the proposal to sell one of the best known and most popular parts of the Quantocks. The area has given inspiration to thousands of Somerset residents over the years. It is an enormous learning facility for youngsters of all ages. Above all it forms a vital part of the County’s heritage and should be preserved for public use. Has this County Council got no shame and no sense of history. They would not dare to put such a proposal in an election manifesto!"

 Members of the public have until 23 December to respond to the proposals. The County Council has published a notice about the proposed sale and anyone who wishes to object to the disposal of the land should forward their written objection to:  Honor Clark, Deputy County Solicitor, Legal Services, County Hall, Taunton TA1 4DY (ref: CNV0038/1/JAH) by 23 December 2011.

BRIDGWATER CLUSTER GROUP EARMARKS MONEY FOR YOUTH

At The Bridgwater Parish Cluster meeting of Wednesday 7th December, Labour councillors proposed a spending package to kick start several long awaited projects for the towns youth, including the long awaited Skate park plus cash for play areas and sporting facilities.

The Cluster Groups are a forum for Town, District, Parish and County Councillors of the various areas within Sedgemoor to discuss issues pertinent to their own areas and to recomend spending priorities within those areas. A key element of the money earmarked for the town comes from the RLT fund which is the money paid in by developers to compensate for the loss of green space due to their developments.

Of the 5 Sedgemoor Clusters, only Bridgwater has a sizeable Labour majority on it. The others (Coastal, Cheddar, Moors and Quantock) are all Tory dominated.



Cllr Steve Austen
"Reviving the Skatepark campaign"

   Following discussions between Labour Councillor Steve Austen, Martin Hodgson at the YMCA  and Sedgemoors Teresa Harvey, the Labour Group managed to get the issue of the long awaited Skate Park back on the agenda with a potential resolution for the sticky issue of 'the land' finally having a potential solution. Teresa Harvey speaking at the meeting said "We have an offer from the YMCA that will solve the land issue if it's agreeable. We now need to re-establish the Task & Finish group to look at this offer."

Cllr Brian Smedley supported the proposal saying "The money is in place from Town & District Counciland the only issue has ever been that of the land. It is important now to make sure this site is what the skating community actually wants and therefore crucial that they are now involved at every stage of the project." 

The meeting agreed with this and the Skate Park was made the Clusters top priority with it;s budget of £150,000 ring fenced to achieve it.

Cllr Mick Lerry, the leader of the Sedgemoor Labour Group, proposed a further priority spend from the Cluster which was similarly voted through. This included
£80,000 Victoria Park  (Victoria)- to include a Multi Use Games Area and outdoor Gym.
£48,000 Mansfield Park (Hamp)-to establish a play area in accommodation with the current football usage possibly including relocation of the pitch.
£34,500 Cranleigh Gardens (Eastover) -to include  facilities such as a Trim Trial.
£34,500 Coronation Park (Sydenham) -to enhance the play area with additional features.

The meeting identified future works and funds which could enhance further the facilities including a potential £500,000 from EDF as 'mitigation money' regarding Hinkley point, plus a section 106 agreement which would bring additional provision to the North East Bridgwater area including the relocation or otherwise of the Inovia Sports and Social Club.

Cllr Ian Tucker
"Young people are angry"

Cllr Ian Tucker (Dunwear), highlighted the need for youth funding in the wake of the County Council cuts to Youth services, saying "SCC has reduced all funding for youth work by 75%. Because of this most youth workers will be made redundant and youth centres closed including the Rollercoaster.   The young people  are very angry that this is happening and I believe the District Council can't hide it's head in the sand over this and needs to take an active role in dealing with the knock on effects."

Cllr Tucker added "It is very obvious that facilities like the Rollercoaster have been a lifeline for many youngsters on the Sydenham estate as well as those coming in from other areas."

The next Cluster meeting will be March 7th and will look at Youth provision and also at the position of the Bridgwater Arts Centre at the end of the financial year.

JOIN US AT THE BRIDGWATER LABOUR CHRISTMAS PARTY ON DECEMBER 10TH

Dear Labour Party members, supporters and sundry chums

This years  Labour Party Christmas Social Event will be on

SATURDAY 10TH DECEMBER

Bridgwater Arts Centre

7pm prompt.

 

We have decided to do an event to support the Bridgwater Arts Centre.

 

So the plan is this.

 

There will be a social event which includes food, music, a raffle and a quiz.

 

The Arts Centre Bar will be open.

 

at 8pm on the same evening the Art Centre  will be hosting live the 1960's tribute band THE MODS

 

Labour Party Party-Goers can go to see this event as part of the social evening or choose to continue socialising in the Art Centre Bar or in the Studio which we will have soul use of for the evening.

 

NOTE;- The Labour social event is free-however, If you wish to see the MODS gig you should either buy your ticket from the Art Centre in advance or ask me to reserve tickets (and pay me on the night)Tickets for the gig are £14 (non members) or £12 (Members/ concessions/students/pensioners/unemployed)Or risk turning up on the night and paying £15.

 

Please respond to this email if you will be coming to the Social and if you wish gig tickets set aside.

 

Brian Smedley

"Funkmaster General"

Bridgwater Labour Party

brian.smedley@sedgemoor.gov.uk

BRIDGWATER WORKERS JOIN PENSIONS PROTEST

Workers from across Somerset converged on Taunton today to join a 2,000 strong protest against the Coalition Governments plans to devastate their pensions and trash public services. 

SDC Unison delegation in Taunton

A TUC 'Day of Action' had been called Nationwide with the turnout in Somerset   described as a "Fantastic response" by Unison Regional Organiser Helen Eccles. 

The march ,which started at the old Cattle Market , wended it's way through crowds of applauding shoppers in Tauntons town centre many of whom joined in as the demonstration approached them.

Glen Burrows from Bridgwater Trades Council and the RMT , addressed the marchers as they gathered at the start of their protest saying "This is not just a campaign to defend oublic sector pensions. It is a campaign for all pensions: state, private and public sector. It is saying to the Government loud and clear ! We will not pay for a crisis caused by bankers' greed and speculation. Hands off our pensions! Hands off our NHS! Hands off our schools! Hands off our Welfare State!"

Brian Smedley & Glen Burrows Bridgwater Trades Council

Bridgwater Labour Party members and Councillors joined the march today and supported the action by not crossing picket lines. Group Leader Cllr Mick Lerry carried the National Union of Teachers banner on the march whilst Group Secretary Cllr Brian Smedley ,walked alongside Sedgemoor Unison strikers. 

District Party Chair Cllr Kathy Pearce said " Public sector workers are being squeezed all ways - higher contributions to pensions and later retirement age.  In the meantime those of us working in public services are expected to bear the brunt of dealing with the consequences of the co-alition government's cuts to public spending.  The strength of today's protest and public support is testament to the strength of feeling that enough is enough. "

Labour Leader Mick Lerry with the N.U.T

At the culmination of the march -County Hall- speaker after speaker from many different Unions stressed the message of the day 

"The Unions want proper negotiations. The Government is storing up a crisis for the next generationof pensioners unless we win pensions justice for all now"

"Never be ashamed to stand up and fight for what is fair and just"

"People are here because they're angry. 700,000 job cuts in public services and pay cuts of 16% pay cut are making  moderates into militants!"

Speakers at County hall

"Today is about ordinary workers. in the NHS you're lucky if you leave with £4,000 pension - hardly gold plated!"

"It's not just pensions we;re fighting for it;s about the quality of life for ordinary workers, for a decent education system and for properly funded public services"

Unison said that 200 schools across Somerset were closed due to the strike action and even Tory Education secretary Michael Gove had to admit that 76% of state funded schools across the country were affected.

Schools, hospitals, courts, passport offices and ports were among the services disrupted.


The TUC said more women than ever before had taken part in the strike.