LEWISHAM: Mayor to set out borough cuts (From News Shopper)

LEWISHAM: Mayor to set out borough cuts

9:23am Wednesday 17th November 2010 in News By Mark Chandler and Nina Massey

Sir Steve Bullock

IT IS crunch time in Lewisham tonight as the borough finds out where the first £19m in the council’s £60m cuts package is due to come from.

Mayor Lewisham Sir Steve Bullock is set to approve proposals which could see hundreds of jobs axed to save money.

Sir Steve has blamed the need for the savings on reduced government funding - outlined last month by Chancellor George Osborne.

But he is likely to meet opposition from campaign groups who plan to lobby the Mayor and Cabinet meeting at Lewisham Town Hall this evening.

The meeting marks the end of a borough-wide consultation process which began in July.

Any proposals agreed tonight will go to a full council meeting for approval.

CUTS EXPECTED TO BE AGREED

Closure of Amersham Early Years Centre, Amersham Road, New Cross.

Up to 80 posts in Children and Young People’s Services Directorate.

20 community wardens.

20 posts from Housing Needs service.

38 jobs from Regeneration Directorate.

66 posts from Customer Services Directorate.

18 jobs scrapped from School Improvement team.

Cuts to Family Support and Intervention team.

LIBRARIES

The future of five libraries still hangs in the balance after the mayor delayed a decision on their closure.

A decision was due to be made on closing Crofton Park, Blackheath, Grove Park, New Cross and Sydenham libraries tonight.

But Sir Steve Bullock has deferred a decision for up to two months while alternatives are considered.

He said: “The current proposals do not provide enough detail on the alternative community library proposals and on the transitional costs of moving to these alternatives.”

Peter Richardson of Users and Friends of Manor House Library, said: “It indicates that the pressure we have been applying over the past months has had some effect.

“I don’t want to celebrate prematurely, but the signs are looking promising."

Leader of Lewisham Lib Dems Councillor Chris Maines

“I’m pleased that the mayor is taking more time over the library closures.

“But I think the whole approach is flawed because there’s been no attempt at this stage to actually slim down the council.

“We’re still going ahead with seven departments which could be reduced and a lot of the management costs taken out.

“Every department has a policy and communications team - that’s where we should be making the cuts rather than front line services.”

Secretary of Lewisham National Union of Teachers Martin Powell-Davies

“Our main concern is the overall effect that it has on the community.

“Already school leavers struggle to find a job opportunity and will also struggle to find a college place they can afford.

“These cuts will only further reduce job opportunities for Lewisham people.

“What’s significant is some of the more controversial changes like the libraries and future of travellers’ services are still out for discussion.

“We hope that means the council is taking note of the concerns people have.”