"Salford Council have demonstrated again that democracy does not exist under the City Mayor regime…"
Salford Council was accused of `interfering', `hijacking' and resorting to `dirty underhand tactics' in order to scupper the growing campaign to save Salford Children's Camp, also affectionately known as the `Jam Butty Camp'.
The Camp is run by an independent charity of which Councillor Bernard Pennington is the Chair of the trustees. It was originally set up so that the city's less fortunate children could have a holiday by the seaside in Prestatyn in a purpose built complex but this year Salford Council has stated it will withdraw £50,000 of funding, forcing the Camp to close.
Shocked by the news, those who used to visit the Camp set up Save The Jam Butty Camp Campaign and have raised funding, they say, to fill the financial gap left by the Council. Meanwhile, the trustees seem intent on selling the land which is valued at millions of pounds (see previous Salford Star article for full details – click here).
There's now a full on battle between the Council and the trustees on one hand, and the campaigners on the other, which blew up again this afternoon, with Nick Abbott, of Save The Jam Butty Camp accusing the Council of "resorting to dirty underhand tactics to scupper our campaign to save the Camp"…
The Trustees of the Children's Camp charity had asked the campaigners to provide evidence that that demand for the Camp still existed, as well as proof that funding was in place, before they would meet to discuss its possible survival.
As part of this exercise, Nick Abbott emailed all primary schools in the city this morning at 9am asking if their pupils and teachers would attend the Camp if it was improved and managed to suit the needs of the schools. By lunchtime, Nick states that "nine schools had responded wishing to attend in 2015 with an increase in the pupils attending due to class size increase...Not a single school who replied today said they wouldn't attend…"
However, at 1:57pm, the schools received another email, this time from Salford Council officer Cathy Starbuck "to clarify matters"…The email stated that "over the years there has been a decline in the use of the Camp by Salford schools", comparing current figures with the 1950s; reiterated that "The Trustees and management committee have made it clear they intend to sell the assets of the Camp" and that "Any funds will be used for the benefit of Salford children who are in need", including the possibility of bringing down prices for "Lledr Hall and other educational visits".
Save The Jam Butty Camp campaigners were furious with the Council's actions…
"This is yet another outrageous turn of events" a campaign statement read "First of all we are given a glimmer of hope the charity may reconsider their plan to sell the Camp if we can evidence demand, and on the very same day the Council, who previously have said this is nothing to do with them, hijack our dialogue with the very schools who wish the camp to stay open!"
"The schools must feel as if they are in the middle of a war-zone with the campaigners acting to save the camp and the Council seeking to sell the land to fund their own plans – against the wishes of the hundreds of children who had their holiday cancelled this year" it added "Not a single school who replied today said they wouldn't attend. No wonder the Council had to act quickly to suppress our fight.
"After reprimanding one of their own Councillors for speaking in support of this campaign last week, Salford Council have demonstrated again that democracy does not exist under the City Mayor regime" it explained "What started out as an attempt by local businesses, schools, parents and community groups to save a much loved facility has now turned into a battle for the community to be given a voice, whilst the Council fly a flag of 'Spirit of Salford' above the Town Hall…"
Salford Council denies the allegations. This evening, John Merry, Assistant Mayor for Children and Young People, told the Salford Star that he was merely trying to `clarify the situation' and that the email to schools from the Council officer included his own letter stating that the charity's trustees would meet with Nick Abbott if he could `provide evidence of funding which would lead to a sustainable business plan'…
"I don't think we're trying to hijack the campaign" he said "Schools were a bit confused so I thought I'd try and clarify the situation. It does say that the original plan was to close the Camp but it also says `Here is a letter underneath that you may find helpful', and the letter says that if he's got the money he says he has, then we need to organise a meeting between him and the trustees
"There's always been the possibility that, if he raises the money, we can continue to talk about keeping the Camp open" Merry added "Let's see his money and let's see how we can work to achieve that – the ball's in his court really. I'm not in the business of wanting to close camps for the sake of it. If we can keep it open, we will keep it open."
Meanwhile, the community rallied yesterday with a fundraiser in Ordsall producing over £500 to help towards keeping the Jam Butty Camp open. And alongside the fundraising efforts, campaigners are getting more militant, threatening to storm the Mayor's `Spirit of Salford' festival at the end of May to force the point home.
For more details of how to contribute towards saving the Jam Butty Camp and loads more information, copy of emails etc see the Save The Jam Butty Camp Facebook page – click here
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