Hundreds protest outside Town Hall

Protestors outside the Town Hall

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Hundreds of protestors gathered outside the Rochdale Town Hall this afternoon (Thursday 25 November 2010) ahead of a Cabinet meeting where phase one of the Council’s budget cuts will be decided.

The 90 day consultation period on the first phase of the cuts – aiming to save £14m has finished and the Council will now decide their final position.

Hundreds of protestors wearing union tabards and holding placards assembled outside the Town Hall chanting ‘No ifs, no buts, no public service cuts’ and ‘They say cut back, we say fight back.’

Some of the protestors then moved into the Town Hall for the 3.00pm Cabinet meeting. Others remained outside chanting and banging their placards against the windows.

Inside the meeting, users of homeless services aired their views. One protestor described the Council as "making things worse".

Another protestor, a service user, who twelve months ago was considering suicide, described himself as "living proof" that services like Petrus Community do work.

Councillor Ashley Dearnley thanked the protestors for their comments but advised them that discussions surrounding homelessness services would be taking place at a meeting in the future – as they come under phase 2 of the cuts.

Both the press and public were excluded from the meeting so the decisions could be made behind closed doors.

Rochdale Online understands the Councillors then moved into another room in the Town Hall because the chanting outside meant they were struggling to hear.

Helen Harrison, branch secretary for UNISON in Rochdale, said: “We want to make the Council aware of how angry not only unions are but the whole community.”

Speaking to the Cabinet members, Ms Harrison asked the council to talk to the unions and think of alternatives. She spoke of the strength in numbers both inside and outside the Town Hall and said the numbers would get bigger as the weeks went on.

Ms Harrison concluded: “I don’t need to say anything else. I think all these people in here and all those people out there are saying it for me.”

Later, Ms Harrison said: “I am pleased with the turnout and we are getting community groups involved which is good. It shows that Rochdale people are angry – I don’t think people realise how devastating these cuts are going to be.”

Bill Allen, retired members secretary for UNISON in Rochdale, added: “Pensioners don’t realise how dramatic the cuts in services will be – once a service has gone it never comes back.”

Geoff Crossley, branch chairman of UNISON in Rochdale, said he hoped the demonstration would make a difference.

Amy Burke, a Trainee Support Worker from Petrus Community, who has been through the homeless system herself, said: “We want them to listen. They are cutting these services and expecting the world to be a happy place. I don’t believe they are listening.”