by Kevin Parslow, Unite the Union Waltham Forest council branch secretary
campaigning to defend local services.
Photo: Waltham Forest Socialist Party (from 2022)
To say that the scenario painted was grim is an understatement. Waltham Forest council chiefs met representatives of local government trade unions.
“It feels like 2010”, said one senior council officer, “graver than austerity”, referring to the severe cuts brought by the then Tory-Lib Dem coalition. Waltham Forest Labour plans to cut £23 million this year, and another £11 million by 2027-28, to avoid section 114 ‘bankruptcy’ notices.
More pain
So Labour will inflict more pain on the borough’s employees and residents, rather than build a campaign involving other councils, unions, and residents to fight for cash for local authorities?
These cuts include the equivalent of 120 full-time employee reductions — 4% of posts — plus the loss of some agency staff, a devastating blow to an already-stretched workforce. Labour is trying to sweeten the pill by claiming the senior leadership of the council is ‘top-heavy’, and will be cut.
But most posts lost will be further down the scale. The council already agreed over 90 voluntary redundancies last year.
Anti-cuts campaigners have already had one small victory, with the further delay of the decision to close the Markhouse Centre for adults with learning disabilities.
And the local trades union council, with the support of Waltham Forest Socialist Party, has called a protest at the council’s budget-setting meeting – launching a campaign for an alternative, no-cuts needs budget.
Come to the town hall steps to tell Labour what you think…
- Present ‘People’s Budget’ night of full council meeting – Thursday 27 February, 6pm
- Lobby council cabinet trying to close Markhouse Centre – Tuesday 11 March, 1pm