Protest over city council budget cuts
A DEMONSTRATION against city council budget cuts was held in the Old Market Square.
Public sector union, Unison, collected signatures on Saturday in protest at changes to services for older people and job losses.
Nottingham City Council has announced budget proposals which include savings of more than £18m. They include a reduction in day care and residential care for people with learning disabilities.
It claims the provision of services is changing so more people will be placed with an "adult foster carer", in private accommodation or will take control of their own care through a personalised budget provided by the local authority.
But care workers say many people with learning disabilities are unable to take advantage of these changes and require publicly funded care.
One worker, who did not want to be named, said: "There is no justification whatsoever. The changes are not in the best interests of clients, the only interest is saving money. The impact will be social isolation."
Jean Thorpe, of Unison, said, also criticised the cuts in adult social care which she said would "lead to extreme isolation".
"Services are already cut to the bone in some areas," she said. "A lot of staff are very loyal, good workers. They are going to be unemployed. Where else will they find a job in the current climate?"
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by MadBadger, The Sett
Sunday, February 07 2010, 2:57PM
“Ho hum, I see all of the morons are out again.
Nothing changes, really.”
by MadBadger, The Sett
Sunday, February 07 2010, 2:29PM
“Look, I am the real Madbadger, and I wish that people would stop impersonating me!!!!”
by Someone, Somewhere
Sunday, February 07 2010, 2:24PM
“LOL @ MadBadger!!!
Keep it coming!!!”
by MadBadger, The Sett
Sunday, February 07 2010, 1:15PM
“I knew it wasn't you, KB.
I suspect that it's the same idiots who impersonate me.”
by King Biffo, Nottingham
Sunday, February 07 2010, 1:03PM
“It would appear that there is a pretender to my throne.
I would thank people to ignore the fake 'King Biffo' below; clearly an usurper and trouble maker who should be focusing on other issues a little closer to home!”
by Mr. Sensible, The Real World
Saturday, February 06 2010, 10:03PM
“John, on the stadium I think we're agreed.
But I think it simply wrong to say that people will save anything from the County's freeze; we stand to save a staggering £1 a week, based on an increase of 3%.
Whereas the elderly and vulnerable have to pay an extra £10 a week!
That's the difference; the City's sharing the costs a bit more fairly, although as I say if we scrapped that stadium we could probably afford not to shut those 2 libraries or restrict the access to services.”
by Daryl, Nottingham
Saturday, February 06 2010, 9:23PM
“I know how we can cut costs in the city.
1. There are too many Police Officers sat in laybys (They have been spotted by myself this week twice in Wollaton, once on the ring road, once in Carlton, once in Gedling, once between West Bridgford and Gamston and twice on the A52)
2. Scrap this World Cup stadium, we've won the bid, revamp the City Ground (Nottingham's home of football, really)
3. DO NOT let the council to have a big party to celebrate cutting costs as Westminster Council are doing soon. (£23k party).
4. Sack anybody who works at the council who has a job title that is so stupid he/she'd have to explain what they do.
5. Not cutting costs, but innovation, who'd like a street named after them? Who'd like the County Hall named after them? (Not me) Who'd like to buy any of the city run services and invest in them to give the city even better services without Mr. Joe Public having to hear about 'Cuts, cuts, cuts,'? I think the council ought to set up an online auction, spend about £1m on advertising it to Sheikhs, Arabs and members of the KGB... Ohh and the Russians, and then list every item on a 7 day auction with a buy it now and they will buy, because they like to own everything, and i've checked, and there isn't a street, public service or council building owned by any of these.
Okay... So it's a crazy idea, but i haven't seen an idea that is going to work.
And if anyone from the council thinks that point five is a good idea and takes it out, i want my 1% cut. 190190”
by King Biffo, Someone's house
Saturday, February 06 2010, 7:40PM
“You can afford it MadBadger, what with all the houses your family own.
Rich, middle-class Labour boy.”
by MadBadger, The Sett
Saturday, February 06 2010, 6:24PM
“Hello, Jason.”
by Trying to, On the Gravy Train
Saturday, February 06 2010, 6:11PM
“Get some dosh of the unison bosses they have plenty ,no bad times for them boyos. Plenty of smarts suits and fancy holidays for them , they even make the Honourable , thieving , lying, scoundrels MPs look honest.”