Councillors rebel to help save Stoke-on-Trent's community halls from council cuts
MORE than 5,000 residents have backed a campaign to save the city's community halls from council cuts.
Campaigners say at least three Labour councillors have broken ranks to sign the petition against Stoke-on-Trent City Council's plans to offload or shut the popular buildings.
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DEBATE: Norton Community Centre vice president Mick Salih and secretary Graham Sherratt with a petition against community hall cuts.
And residents have secured enough signatures to trigger a formal debate on the £162,000 budget cut at the next full council meeting on October 18.
The 5,300-strong petition was handed in at the Civic Centre yesterday.
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Community halls face closure if the volunteers who run them do not agree to take over the facilities, which includes taking responsibility for staff and maintenance costs.
Community hall committees say they are prepared to pay a bigger contribution to reduce council subsidies but do not want to be legally responsible for the halls.
Labour councillor Debra Gratton – who represents Sneyd Green – and Baddeley, Milton and Norton councillors Duncan Walker and Andy Lilley, are all said to have signed the group's petition.
Mr Lilley said: "I have signed it because I want the issue to be revisited. I know Duncan Walker feels the same.
"I don't want to see Norton Community Hall closed. It's one of the most valuable community centres. I'm understanding about the budget position but it's in our ward and we've got to fight for it. I'll always try to fight for ward issues."
The committee at Norton Community Hall has offered to pay £5,000 a year towards the council's £17,500 subsidy.
Vice-chairman and campaign organiser Mick Salih said: "In the last 15 years we have spent £102,000 that we have raised on improving the facilities. Any profit we make is ploughed back into the hall.
"We are prepared to contribute more and help the council reduce its budget, but we don't want to take on the legal responsibilities, the insurance and the maintenance.
"The council forgets that we are volunteers. We do this because we want to, not because we have to.
"What's making us really angry is that they keep saying they are in negotiations with committees but really it is an ultimatum."
Abbey Hulton and Birches Head community halls have already been shut.
Halls in Bradeley, Joiner's Square, Meir Park, Norton, Packmoor, Smallthorne, Sneyd Green and Tunstall remain in limbo. The authority initially set an August deadline for resolving each hall's future.
Councillor Ruth Rosenau, cabinet member for regeneration, said the council's policy was to transfer or close the halls, some of which may be sold on at market value. "The cuts in funding for Stoke-on-Trent are the largest in living memory and these are unprecedented times," she said. "The council is in discussion with community groups, looking at all options. Progress has been made with some groups to move forward with a transfer, while other groups are still considering their positions."
Comments
by mole10
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 5:15PM
“How about asking 'rebel' (as if) Councillors their thoughts on shutting a day centre and old people's home.
Opportunist.”
by Robnoxious
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 2:48PM
“Good luck to you in your efforts Mick , and don't give up. Perhaps we should all descend on the Civic Center to show support if they don't want to take things at face value . Lets get one organised. Show them how we really feel. Someone being accountable for what is going on around us.”
by mole10
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 2:45PM
“Nothing new in Labour deleting names from a list.
It's how a minority dominates the majority.
"We have a new way of doing things" (Meredith).
I believe Mick Salih.
People not wanting a community centre is the biggest load of apologist bunkum heard in years.
Labour knows nothing but closures to solve a problem.
Dimensions, what a laugh.
Destroyed Meredith's argument in 5 whole seconds flat.”
by MickSalih
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 2:16PM
“Let me set the record straight I handed in the petition at 11-00am yesterday it contained 5300 signatures from across the city and the surrounding area I got a call in the afternoon from the council that they had counted them and only 3122 were valid due to people not putting there postal address and signatures in proper format we knew that some signatures would not be excepted but not in these numbers the story was run before we new about this and there is nothing under handed going on as Labour Len suggests at least we will get 3 minutes to present our petition to council but with no debate afterwards. We have at least got 5000 plus signatures who are against the current proposals and surely the Labour Group should at least think again and have meaning full discussions with community hall committees instead of saying Asset transfer or we will close you.
Mick”
by LabourLen
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 1:38PM
“Mmm.... I heard former Cllr Salih on t'radio yesterday where he stated that he had these 5000 signatures and would now be allowed a debate at the next full council meeting.
Now in this article the magical figure of over 5000 signatures is again used.
I have been told that the real figure is just over 3000.
So who's exaggerating?.... This reporter?.... The Radio Host/Station? ...... Or maybe Mick Salih?
I know who I think...”
by Dizzy1960
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 12:03PM
“Isn't it strange how Councillors jump on the band wagon when residents get a petition up and running to preserve/save their community, who are no where to be seen or heard previously.
As a city it's about time we made a stand for democracy against the low-life misrepresenting oik' we call Councillors and demanded an election on the grounds that they aren't representing the people of this city to there best interests.
So are we prepared to stand up to our motto; vis unita fortior or are we non...commondum (not interested)?”
by mole10
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 10:30AM
“5000 residents sign a petition..............and a councillor sees the light.
A miracle born not of opportunism.
Whatever.”
by I_Norris
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 10:13AM
“Cllr Lilley said: "I have signed it because I want the issue to be revisited. I know Duncan Walker feels the same.
Perhaps you should revisited borrowing £59million too, as thsts going to lead to additional £5M cost per year in interest which could be used to fund projects in local wards”