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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Jean, David, all</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>>Hi David - am in absolute agreement about our opposition to Govt policy
but my understanding is that SCC would be acting unlawfully if they do not
implement cuts as dictated by Central govt which could then move in and take
over. So we can demonstrate against govt policy but it would seem SCC has it's
hand tied?</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>As I understand it, the Govt have not said councils
have to cut services - that would be political suicide - what they have done is
reduced the budgets the council receives - how the council deals with that is a
matter for them. What would be an issue if the council refused to set a budget -
as Labour as opposition did last year when they could have easily overturned the
Lib Dem proposal then Eric 'Communities' Pickles would simply send a team in to
set a budget and everything would be slashed as they went - there would also be
an issue of the council being fined, meaning further extensive cuts in the years
to come. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>So in effect, Jean you are right their hands are
tied. Politically it would be an issue not to set a budget which would haunt
them for years to come. This consultation with the public is a farce - 99%
of us don't have access to the budgets to which to make an informed judgement
from - however it does give a 'get of jail free' card to the likes of Dore and
Lodge - as they can say 'well its what the public wanted?' - at the end of the
day all the consultation will do is give the racists and bigots in our society a
platform to rant about their chosen issues. As the council have been already
been briefing councillors on the budget cuts - the decisions are already made -
just not made public. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>And finally we come to SACA - fighting the cuts -
but not willing to raise issues with the Labour council or previous government
who are equally to blame for the problems we face locally. What alternatives are
they offering - so far they are rattling the drum, saying 'no to the cuts' but
fail to disclose what they will do differently. They have no alternative, no
solution. The only active political group in the city with thought out
alternatives are the Greens and they are marginalised in the SACA movement.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>No doubt tomorrow they'll be criticised by the SACA
speakers for suggesting alternatives - but its a no-brainer. Its important to
protect services where possible to the most needed or where the services can be
best provided with the best outcomes but I suggest that Labour will simply prop
up their pet projects and damn the rest and use the cuts as an excuse.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>I agree we should protest about the unfairness of
it all, but suspect the people making the decisions will not take that into
account at all.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Mick</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Green Party member</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
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