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SALFORD COUNCIL CUTS OPPOSED BY LABOUR COUNCILLORS
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Star date: 9th July 2014
A Salford Star Exclusive
LABOUR COUNCILLORS OPPOSE LABOUR MAYOR'S CUTS FOR VULNERABLE PEOPLE
Three Labour councillors have `called in' City Mayor Ian Stewart's cuts to services for vulnerable people, asking Salford Council to `look at alternatives'.
On June 30th, Stewart agreed cuts of over £4million to services which the Mayor's report itself stated "are likely to affect some of the most marginalised citizens in the city". Now even Labour councillors have had enough.
Full details here… |
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A gentle mutiny is taking place amongst Labour councillors in Salford against Mayor Ian Stewart's massive cuts to services for vulnerable adults in the city. Yesterday, three Labour councillors signed a `call-in' of Stewart's decision on 30th June to pass cuts of almost £4.4million.
"This decision affects crucial services to some of the most vulnerable people in the city" says Councillor Peter Wheeler, one of the signatories "It's important that councillors get a proper chance to see the results of the consultations, consider exactly what is being proposed and look at any alternatives available."
A `call-in' means that the Mayor's decision cannot be implemented until councillors have reconsidered, and the Salford Star understands that the matter will be discussed at the Adults Services Scrutiny Committee on 23rd July, and possibly a meeting of the full council after that.
The cuts of almost £4.4million include slashing transport to day centres, cutting services for the homeless and those with mental health problems, charging for Care On Call and more, which are being spun as offering "more opportunities for self reliance for its population" and "an improved experience for Salford's citizens".
But even the Mayor's report upon which the original axing of services was based stated that the cuts "are likely to affect some of the most marginalised citizens in the city". Meanwhile, minutes of the Council's Finance and Budget Scrutiny Committee back in April record that "to achieve savings it would be necessary to cut non statutory services altogether. It was agreed that this was an unfortunate reality."
The `unfortunate reality' has not been accepted by those affected by the cuts, who have run petitions, taken part in demonstrations and even held a protest Rally on the Lawn of the Civic Centre which the Mayor tried everything in his power to stop (see previous Salford Star article – click here). Now even Labour councillors have had enough…
* See also previous Salford Star article: Salford Labour Council's New Tory-style Dickensian DIY Welfare – click here
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David cameron wrote
at 05:45:47 on 15 July 2014 |
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| Why don't we use the chauffeur driven limo that the council have, to drive these kids about, instead of driving around a couple of Labour Party geriatrics disguised as ceremonial mayors. |
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Labour Camp Insider wrote
at 19:02:42 on 12 July 2014 |
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| Good to read a local Councillor on here. This is one good way to reach out for feedback and great to see Salford Star respond. To me on the sideline, being a Salford pensioner and as floating voter, I find this excellent. Balanced opinions are better that none! Very impressed, I welcome Cllr Peter Wheeler to keep on kicking the ball into touch, I feel our Mayor will also be pleased to see one Labour Councillor active. I recommend Cllr Wheeler be elected to the Salford Council Communication Manager post in view of his clarity, guts and openness. Well done Cllr Peter. |
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Gareth L wrote
at 05:42:28 on 12 July 2014 |
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| Well done to the Salford Star for giving us the news about Salford, and for standing up and publishing what is right. |
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joe oenill wrote
at 05:42:23 on 12 July 2014 |
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| Redpev
I turned down £8,000 Per year can you Labour friends say they have done the same? when you can have your colleagues taking £8,000 on top of allowances to be the cities head of international relations it takes the piss out of the thousands using food banks. Your colleagues corner the market in allowances almost one million pounds yet we cut the most needy you make me laugh. |
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redpev wrote
at 21:50:30 on 11 July 2014 |
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| Strange that mr O'Neill goes on about Labour councillors protecting their allowances, yet this is the man who has been in 3 different parties trying to get into council to get his hands on his own allowances. |
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Sick of Spineless bullshiters wrote
at 21:49:57 on 11 July 2014 |
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| Well Mr Wheeler many thanks for responding it shows that you do indeed have some balls, and are not denying the existence of this site as many of your fellow Labour Cllrs do. On the Monton parking issue can I just let you know that there would not be an issue if the local Labour council had not introduced parking charges on the car park. The council suffocated Eccles town centre by doing this there, have they learnt nothing??? On your issues of the so called Bedroom tax, DHP, a residents group, pensioners supper club, Bulky rubbish days and Kids Christmas Parties. That's great but most of these things have been done and paid for by City West housing trust because it is their tenants that benefit, the people in the private houses surrounding these areas don't get a sniff. "We also worked closely with the residents of the Tower Blocks during the refurbishment." I am sure you did, yet more help for City West tenants, you know that there are other people living in the Eccles ward don't you? Ellesmere park estate is a tiny fraction of your ward Peter, how about something for the rest! As for mental health service users why oh why did you not call in any of these decisions these are IMO the most cruel evil and uneconomic of all the cuts, saying that the cuts to disabled kids are up there with it, WHERE WERE YOU THEN PETER. But then again by targeting City West tenants at least you show that you know where your votes are coming from. Keep em sweet Pete and get the reap. |
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peter wheeler wrote
at 14:21:43 on 11 July 2014 |
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| Just to explain the call in and its timing. Any 3 councillors can call in a decision for further scrutiny. Obviously a decision cannot be called in until it is actually made-that's why it is happening now. It allows Councillors to study the results of the consultation, look at what is actually being proposed and look at alternatives.
what have I been doing since I got elected?-trying to be a good Councillor for Eccles and doing my best to deal seriously with the individual problems that residents get in touch with me about
Also campaigning hard on the Bed Room tax- we did a lot to let people know it was coming and what it meant and have tried to help people with Discretionary Housing Payments. I was also very active in getting a commitment from the Labour Party to repeal it.
As Councillors we have worked closely with the mental health service users from Cromwell House and the local community group in Monton to defeat the proposal for an incinerator on Green Lane and tackling the parking problems in Monton and trying to get free parking back.
We have worked closely with residents on Ellesmere Park estate to establish a residents group, set up a pensioners supper club and organise Bulky rubbish days and Kids Christmas Parties.
We also worked closely with the residents of the Tower Blocks during the refurbishment.
As a Council Tenant I am also active in Defend Salford Council Homes opposing the plans to transfer the bulk of our remaining council housing to Salix. |
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noreen bailey wrote
at 20:14:34 on 10 July 2014 |
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SAVE OUR ADULT TRANSPORT CAMPAIGN
7pm TUESDAY 15th JULY
SWINTON LEGION
CHEETHAM Rd,
SWINTON
M27 4UQ
The Council despite the fact, even by their own figures, 40 severely DISABLED people will be left without TRANSPORT to & from Day Centres or other venues, have decided to shut down this service. Many more have been "re-assessed" not to have transport when they & their carers rely on this help. Furthermore many service users are being forced to use private taxis which are not only expensive but putting their loved ones at risk.
To parents & carers, in particular, please attend.
This might be the LAST CHANCE we have to try to STOP this CUT.
Anyone that has used or knows who has used the TRANSPORT in the PAST or will be doingwhen there CHILD FINISHES SCHOOL are especially welcome.If we can get enough PARENTS, DRIVERS, CARERS & ESCORTS we have a chance to force the COUNCIL to reconsider.
Please lets try this LAST ATTEMPT FOR OUR SPECIAL SONS & DAUGHTERS WHO ALL DESERVE BETTER & THOSE THAT DONT HAVE A VOICE TO BE HEARD! WE DO LET US ALL USE IT.
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Labour Camp Insider wrote
at 20:13:50 on 10 July 2014 |
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| Can we please have the names of the other 2 elected Councillors - in the public interest - let us see who besides Councillor Wheeler has signed this "calling in" process. I would like to see if one is my ward Councillor - please spill the beans and tell us. |
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Confused.com wrote
at 05:15:46 on 10 July 2014 |
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| I think the cuts being looked at again can only be a good thing however it was the Labour Councillors that voted these cuts through at the full council meeting. Yes it came from Lead Members, the Mayor & I suspect various Senior Managers but ultimately it was the Councillors that let it happen!!
Its good to see that the Councillors have listened and are now doing something, but... Is just 2/3 objecting enough?
I dont really know or understand enough about this process?
If it is only 2/3 will they not just end up being outvoted by the majority?
If anyone has more knowledge on this "calling in" process I would be interested to find out what happens next? |
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Reg Howard wrote
at 05:15:41 on 10 July 2014 |
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| At last,some people in the council have grown a pair and stood up to Adolph Stewart, let us hope that it is contagious and others find that they have a pair as well, |
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Joe Oneill wrote
at 05:15:34 on 10 July 2014 |
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| The Sad part is it will be discussed and then there are two choices to re look at the decision or the send it back to full council where Labour hold the Majority and it will be voted through, seen it all before, Salford Labour councillors are whipped and if they wish to keep their generous allowances they soon buckle under pressure. |
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Sick of Spineless bullshiters wrote
at 05:15:18 on 10 July 2014 |
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| Yeah it's really weird that Peter Wheeler has just "Turned" on Ian Stewart, tell me is this the same Peter Wheeler who's partner is standing as the replacement for Hazel Blears, yeah it's Sue Pugh isn't it, and the mayor does not want her, he wants his chosen one instead. Is it also the same Mr Wheeler who tried to get the mayors job as the Labour party candidate for the mayoral election. Opportunism does not say enough for Peter. I do have one question for Salford's new found friend though, WHERE THE FUCK HAVE YOU BEEN SINCE YOU GOT ELECTED IN 2012, You disagreed with Ian Stewart then so why has it taken you 2 years to stand up, go public and have some balls??????????????????? Come on Cllr Wheeler prove you have some bollocks and actually answer someone on this site, because all the rest of the so called Labour Cllrs deny that it even exsits. Start being true Labour and you might just get the mayors job (as long as you stand as an independent with some real scruples). |
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noreen bailey wrote
at 14:02:57 on 09 July 2014 |
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| well thank you so much peter you have put a little bit of faith there for me I know we have a long way to go yet but ian stewart really does need to know what he is doing to our most vulnerable and their carers we have a hard time getting anything for our special ones and everything is extortionate in price we have extra laundry, heating costs,we have more hospital appointments so the journeys we do takes up most of their mobility allowance in petrol,the upkeep of our transport I will keep everything crossed hoping you can get how much devastation all these cuts will make to Salfords most vulnerable once again many thanks for being the first one to listen |
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Not happy wrote
at 14:02:50 on 09 July 2014 |
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| City Mayor Ian Stewart said: "These cuts have been forced on us by the coalition government. “The change will be done with sympathy, care, understanding and sensitivity. We will do all we can to minimise the impact on people – services for existing users will not just stop overnight.” Mr Stewart added: “Over the next few months everyone receiving moderate care will have their needs reassessed by experienced staff. Some will be reclassified as having substantial or critical needs and those needs will be met.
“Some will remain at moderate and we will do all we can to help them find alternatives. Care will not simply stop overnight.
“We will also be making extra funding available to voluntary organisations and community groups, asking family or friends if they can do more and encouraging people across the city to be good neighbours in these difficult times. This was taken from one of the Mayors letters how many people believe this? And how many people as it happened to. It’s nice to see Councillor Peter Wheeler and other councilors standing up to the mayor lets hope he can get some more to join him
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Labour Camp Insider wrote
at 14:02:45 on 09 July 2014 |
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| mmm, why sudden kicking off by Salford Councillors? Is there a hidden reason for a Labour camp unrest? |
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