| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Cllr Ruth Cadbury at today's read-in | |
| Posted by: | Phil Andrews | |
| Date/Time: | 06/02/11 12:50:00 |
| Good posting Ed, some fair points there. My own concern is though is that in a time of financial hardship it is the community-focused activities and services, rather than those services that require dependency on a one-to-one level, that are going to present an appealing option to this administration when hard choices have to be made. The problem with closing libraries and community buildings, and even to some extent with abolishing area committees, is that they are unlikely ever to be replaced. In the case of libraries and community buildings there will be structural deterioration as well as issues surrounding employment and training, and in the case of area committees it would require a lot of political resolve (or a power struggle within the Labour Party as was previously the case!) for these to be reinstated at a later date. It is my fear that an administration that leans towards and authoritarian view of local life will instinctively favour "remedies" in which community participation is a casualty. By the way, you may be aware that there was a large body of opinion within the Conservative Group during the last administration that was in favour of abolishing area committees and at least one councillor has openly stated that this would have happened had her party not been in coalition with the ICG. The driver for this of course, as is so often the case, was financial rather than ideological. You will understand therefore why in terms of Civic Centre politics we are feeling a little friendless right now. |