Councillor Catherine West’s speech at the Council’s budget meeting

Over the last ten years, past leaders of this council have been able to stand up and announce millions of pounds worth of new services for the people of Islington.  Initiatives were government funded and gratefully received by the population of the borough. It was a happy time to be in control of Islington Council.

This is not such a happy evening.  Tonight’s Council meeting is one that few people of conscience would relish.  It is a moment of sorrow and an occasion for regret. 

It is not the pride of achievement lost that makes tonight such a bitter occasion, it is the legacy of damage that a Conservative Liberal Democrat Government is inflicting on our community.

Tonight we move a budget that sees the worst cuts that our community has ever seen.  It is a budget forced on our borough by a Government that has taken a vindictive decision.  It has decided not just to cut, but to cut fast, to cut deep and to target those cuts at those who can least afford it.

We have sent our protests and marched on the streets.  I even went to talk to Grant Shapps from the Conservative Lib Dem Government, but he refused to back down.

So we have decided to use our dented shield to do what we can to protect the services that our community needs. 

We will open a Citizens’ Advice Bureau in April and we’ve set up a £1million Voluntary Sector Rescue fund to help local groups deal with Government cuts.

We’ve kept lollipop ladies.

We’ve kept our Children’s Centres open, and we intend to do what it takes to keep them open throughout these harsh government cuts.

Madam Mayor, this week we learned that our policy of universal free school meals has raised school meal take up from 60% to over 80%.  That includes 1,000 more children from the lowest income families who were already entitled, but didn’t take school meals for reasons of stigma, or lack of awareness.

That is why I am proud that we have announced that we’ve been able to keep our policy of Universal Free School Meals.  

And we’re also investing £400,000 on getting people in poverty into work.

We’ve got an extra dog warden to provide more help for people troubled by unruly animals.

We’ve found an extra £2million for those with Learning Disabilities and £2million more for child protection

We’ve kept Adult Social Services for those with moderate needs – one of the only councils in the country still to do this. 

Madam Mayor, our budget contains too many cuts.  Too many dedicated public servants will lose their jobs.  Too many of our residents will reach out and find that our help is no longer there.  The Government’s cuts are real and Islington will feel it. 

Politics matters.  And because too many people around the country voted for the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, our community is suffering.  Let us never forget the damage they are causing us.  Let us ensure that the parties of Government are never allowed to forget our community’s anger at what they are doing to us.