Cameron's Councils

Slashing services in Harlow

David Cameron says that he will,

“Create a supportive funding environment for volunteer-based charities and community groups.”

But Tory-run Harlow is slashing voluntary sector funding in their budget for 2010-11.

They are:

• Cutting grants to voluntary sector organisations by 23%.  This comes on top of a 13% cut in the 2009-10 budget.  The  Tories confirm that this will mean there is,

“Likely to be a reduction in services available.”

• Cutting all funding to Harlow’s Active Retired Scheme which provides activities for Harlow’s over 50’s.  The scheme has 500 members.

• Stopping discretionary rate tax relief for charitable organisations

David Cameron says that we should encourage a “Green Consumer Revolution” by rewarding recycling.

His Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Nick Herbert, says a scheme where the public are paid to recycle is “impressive” and that,

“We need to think far more creatively about how to reward consumers for doing the right thing.”

But Harlow Tories are going to charge residents who want to recycle their green waste £75 per year.

These cuts come on top of the cuts and hikes in charges that the Tories in Harlow implremented in 2009-10.

These cuts included:

• 82% slashed from Harlow Advice Centre
• £161,000 cut to organisations such as Rainbow Services, which provides facilities for voluntary sector organisations and Women’s Aid
• 8 sheltered housing schemes decommissioned
• £40,000 slashed from Harlow Museum
• £24,000 slashed from Harlow Youth Council and youth work

The Tories say nationally they will protect frontline services but locally, like in Tory Harlow, they cut valued local services.

Information provided by Bill Rammall, MP for Harlow, Nazeing, Roydon and Sheering