Cuts and job losses Government’s fault
UNION LEADER LAYS BLAME WITH BUDGET
A trade union organiser has blamed the Government for council cuts which will lead to the loss of more than 100 public sector jobs in Gateshead.
At last Thursday’s budget meeting, Gateshead Council voted through a council tax hike of 3.99%, alongside an extensive list of cuts – including 104 local authority job losses, funding reductions for libraries and cultural organisations like the Sage, as well as the introduction of higher service charges for people who require social care.
Since 2010, the council has reduced its workforce by more than 2,400 posts and had its total spending slashed by £157m amid massive reductions in Government grants.
Speaking after the meeting, Peter Chapman, Unison regional organiser for the Gateshead Local Government Branch, said he hoped the authority would be able to avoid compulsory redundancies.
He laid the blame at the door of central Government and warned the cuts are putting strain on services.
He said: “Unfortunately we have a Government that keeps cutting council budgets.
“The more cuts that are going on the more services are going to be put under pressure and the more jobs that are going to be cut.
“We’re quite confident that the jobs can be absorbed by voluntary redundancy and natural wastage, which is where vacancies aren’t filled.
“Our branch has a very good working relationship with the council and they have a very good method of absorbing job cuts.”
Mr Chapman said he hoped the authority could avoid compulsory redundancy.
He added: “We’re confident in the working relationship we have with the council and hopefully we’ll be able to avoid any compulsory redundancies.”
Cuts of £123,000 will be made to libraries – which could result in reduced opening hours – and a further £150,000 from cultural funding to organisations including Sage Gateshead and the Baltic.
Both organisations said they understand the challenges faced by Gateshead Council and will continue to work with it to bring the arts to the area.
A spokesman for the Baltic said: “BALTIC, a registered charity, will maintain and develop our programme of free entry exhibitions of work by international artists, a significant learning and civic engagement programme for people of all ages including children and young people and talent development initiatives for emerging artists.”
A spokesman for Sage Gateshead echoed this, reiterating its commitment to music in the North East.
He added: “Sage Gateshead, as a charity, will work hard to maintain and develop our programme – with performance events for all kinds of tastes and interests, regular classes and courses, a significant education programme for young people and programme which supports young musicians.”
However, there has been some reprieve for the borough’s pest control service – which will be funded for another 12 months, rather than being scrapped this year as had been expected. It will be axed next year unless it becomes financially sustainable.
Funding for council-run football pitch and bowling green maintenance had also been expected to disappear, but will instead be phased out gradually up to 2022.
Under the plans for 2019/20, council tax bills will go up by 3.99% – 1% of which is ring-fenced for adult social care.
The rise has been slammed by the Tax Payers’ Alliance.
John O’Connell, its chief executive, described council tax as a “major burden” on residents.
He said: “Councillors should remember that council tax is a major burden on residents and a huge contributor to the cost of living.
“Councils should look to reduce spending before hitting taxpayers with yet another round of painful tax hikes.”
The budget proposals aren’t all about cuts – this year’s budget also sees an emphasis placed on generating wealth and investment throughout the borough to secure a stable long-term future.
A total of £119m will be committed to encourage economic and housing growth which will bring about new jobs, new homes and increase the skills of local people.
Gateshead Council leader, Martin Gannon, said: “I’m proud of the budget I’m putting forward it reflects the aspirations and views of the people in Gateshead, but it’s not a budget we want to propose or one the people in Gateshead deserve.”