Anti-cuts protestors target Wirral Labour group meeting

Nov 28 2012 by Liam Murphy, Heswall News

AROUND 100 people took part in a demonstration as Wirral Council’s ruling Labour party met in Birkenhead.

The protest was led by the Wirral Against The Cuts alliance of unions and campaigners. They were seeking to influence the Labour group, which controls Wirral council, as the authority grapples with a budget deficit next year of £39m.

Alec McFadden of Wirral TUC said unions including Unite, Unison and PCS were among those represented at the demonstration outside the Lauries Centre on Saturday morning.

Mr McFadden said: “We are saying all the Merseyside councils need to get together to lobby the Government. People are terrified at what is going to happen if these cuts go ahead.”

However, council leader Phil Davies said cuts were being forced on the authority because “the Government has targeted areas like Wirral for the biggest cuts”, and has made it clear the council must set a balanced budget.

The demonstration took place as Wirral council moves ahead with a widespread consultation about its list of proposed cuts.

As well as hundreds of council staff facing poorer working conditions or being made redundant, the proposals include shutting respite homes and day care centres, more or higher charges for social care such as meals on wheels.

Last week the council announced plans to axe 11 of its senior managers as part of a massive revamp of the authority’s top jobs.

See the consultation at www.wirral.gov.uk/ whatreally matters