‘Look at saving proposals again’ says voluntary sector

Protestors outside the Town Hall

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Almost 100 people protested outside the Town Hall this evening (Monday 13 December 2010) calling on the Council to look at the savings proposals again.

The protest, organised, by CVS Rochdale (Council for Voluntary Services) saw representatives and service users from various voluntary services, including children’s services, health services and homeless services.

The protestors gathered outside the Town Hall before tonight’s Cabinet meeting. They held placards reading ‘no cuts in Rochdale’ and ‘Don’t take our beds away.’

They also chanted ‘no ifs, no buts, no public service cuts.’

Kathy Shaw, from CVS Rochdale, said: “We are here to make a point that we are not just accepting these cuts. If the government’s big society is going to work then we need these services. They shouldn’t be being cut, they should be being extended – the voluntary sector will be filling in the gaps the Council can’t. We want to get the support of the Councillors and make a point so they look again.”

Maria Stacey from Crossroads Care which provides carers is concerned that the cuts will result in losing staff which are dedicated and have a rapport with the people they look after and eventually they will lose their ethos and quality of service.

Ms Stacey said: “We want the people making the decision to put themselves in the position where their wife or husband needs care and they would see these services are needed and I’m sure they wouldn’t make these cuts.”

Pat Greenhall from Rochdale Citizens Advocacy which works with people with learning disabilities feels that this is the wrong time for cuts and that investments should be being made. She said: “We are speaking up for those who can’t speak for themselves. There is so much uncertainty.”

The service is looking for alternative funding but Ms Greenhall fears that those with learning disabilities will miss out on using community centres and getting jobs.

She said: “This is not the right time, we are at the thresh hold for major changes for people with learning disabilities and we have got to prepare for that.”

Denis Skelton, Co-ordinator from Petrus, said: “We are hoping the Councillors will think again.

“As the proposals stand 53 per cent funding will be cut from Petrus next year and further cuts will total 75 per cent. This will have a serious impact on our ability to provide for the homeless and those in need in Rochdale.

“We see these proposals as unfair and disproportionate compared to other cuts.”

Helen Harrison, branch secretary for UNISON in Rochdale, added: “We are here to support the voluntary sector like they supported us. It is important that everyone stands together. We are not naive, we know savings need to be made, but we think there are better ways of doing that. We want to sit down together and discuss it.”