The Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council is set to make a decision to slash the funding that the District Council provides to good causes in the community. The decision is being taken at his Portfolio Holder meeting taking place on Thursday 22nd November 2012 at 10am, at South Cambs Hall.
This is a decision that will affect several groups and organisations in the district, and in particular our young people who have not been consulted at all, and yet the briefing papers state that it not a key decision. I do not hold that view and would counter that it is a very key decision, one which needs to be made by the full council, not just the Leader.
The District Council Grants Scheme was absorbed into the portfolio of the Councillor Ray Manning last year, and some Councillors expressed concern that one person alone was to be responsible for the decisions as to whether grants would be awarded or not. At the time, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee agreed to review the decision after a year to make sure that it was working and that there was no bias etc.
The reason being given for the cuts is that the Council needs to find savings in its budget to make up for shortfall in funding from Central Government. However, it is worth noting that the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) identifies £300 000 of saving from the grants programme and at the same time proposes £45 000 to be spent on new furniture for the Council Chamber!! The rational for the proposed spend is that the chamber can be hired out for conferences and the money will soon be recouped. The proposal does not include any supporting business case and it is doubtful that it is a workable idea.
The briefing paper also recommends that future consultation takes place and that final decisions come back to a further meeting. The body of the paper confirms that these decisions have been MADE to all intents and purposes.
ALL arts funding is set to be removed. This includes the payments to the 5 village colleges to pay part of the staff salaries for the Arts Development Managers and it is likley that the the jobs will go, and there will be NO support for community arts, and the Arts Award ceremony may have to be scrapped. In addition to this, Capital Grants for COMMUNITY, SPORTS AND PLAY will be axed in March 2013, which means there will be NO grants to help communities build community centres or sports pavilions etc.
Do you oppose the devastating cuts of £382,600 to community, sports, arts and other organisations that help people in real need? I believe South Cambridgeshire District Council are proposing these cuts in a way that is unfair and will damage our local economy. There is a petition that you can sign to show your concern at the proposals.
Please read more details and sign the petition by visiting: www.causes.com/causes/802234-sports-arts-and-community-groups-are-under-threat-now/actions/1705292
You could also write a letter. Below are the email addresses of people who might like to hear what you think and how cuts would effect you.
SCDC Cabinet members and Chief Exec:
cllr.wotherspoon@scambs.gov.uk
Find out the contact details for your local Councillor here: http://scambs.moderngov.co.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=WARD&VW=LIST&PIC=0
Your local MPs: