by Chris Corney, Waltham Forest Socialist Party
Labour-run Waltham Forest Council is threatening to close the Markhouse Centre, a day centre that has served disabled adults for over 40 years. Socialist Party members joined 30 people, who rely on Markhouse, at a protest outside the council.
Photo: Paula Mitchell
Family members and users of the centre — who came to the protest called by the local trades union council — spoke movingly to the committee of councillors who are reviewing the closure plan. Some were clearly desperate at the prospect of losing the day centre, which provides the only respite they get from full-time care for loved ones with very serious needs. Many said how devastating the loss of the community would be for the 53 adults who attend the centre, some of them for decades.
Addressing the Labour councillors, Socialist Party member Nancy Taaffe said: “Your people are in government, and you rule locally. We urge you to make a stand, and save the Markhouse Centre.”
The reason given by the council for the closure is a survey report, which claims that the building requires £1.2 million for repairs. We disagree with these figures.
The suspicion is that the site is being eyed up for redevelopment. Sheepish Labour councillors were forced to admit that cost was clearly driving the closure plan.
Later Nancy, who is also assistant secretary of the trades council, told the committee to “grow a spine”, stating that “every service that has gone has just become a block of flats”. Socialist Party member Paula Mitchell challenged councillors from the public gallery to use the £39 million of reserves they are sitting on, and set a budget based on needs, not on austerity.
Cuts to vital services are continuing under Labour, and the removal of the Tories from office has made no difference. But affected communities are fighting back. The Socialist Party offers solidarity, and gives confidence that if the working class is organised, we can resist cuts.
Anyone who can support this campaign should join the public meeting, called by Waltham Forest Trades Council.
- Thursday 24 October, 7pm
- Wiilliam Morris Community Centre, 8 Greenleaf Road, E17 6QQ
Save Markhouse Centre for disabled adults from Labour cuts
◴ 10th October 2024
by Roy Wills, Waltham Forest Socialist Party
Pretty soon now, the only publicly owned buildings will be town halls, where the councillors decide on all these cuts.
The temptation must be immense. For instance, there’s the Markhouse Centre in Walthamstow in East London. It serves adults with special needs.
Is it vital for the well-being of vulnerable adults, who would otherwise have to fend for themselves? Yes.
But does it make a profit? No.
Can the Waltham Forest Labour council make money by selling the land, and boast to the electorate that it is not going bust like other authorities? Yes.
The Socialist Party and the trade unions in Waltham Forest Trades Council have lent our support to the campaign to prevent the closure of this specially equipped centre.
The Labour council claim that the complete refurbishment of the centre would cost £1.2 million and, therefore, this is a reason not to do any repairs at all. This approach does not really seem logical or fair.
Quite apart from its immensely practical support, the centre is a source of community for people who would otherwise be isolated. Have we really become a society that does not want to deal with those amongst us who are less fortunate?
The proposed closure date has already been pushed back a month. We are aiming to cause further delay and hopefully halt the process altogether.
The Labour council should demand the funding we need from the Labour government, and join with us to campaign for it.
- Public meeting hosted by trades council
Thursday 24 October, 7pm, William Morris Community Centre, 8 Greenleaf Road, E17 6QQ - Lobby the council cabinet
Tuesday 3 December, 1pm, town hall steps