Barnet Community Campaign – Sheltered Housing

Today I took part in a local march to save the sheltered wardens service organised by Barnet Community Campaign. 

It is only when you are taking part in local democracy that you realise how fortunate that we are living in a country where it is still ok to express your opinions in public (although the recent G20 demonstrations and the actions of the police to some of the demonstrators have shown that we must not be complacent). Democracy in this country was something that was fought for a long time ago. Lives were lost for us to be able to enjoy these freedoms, which makes it all the more important that we scrutinise decisions made by politicians both locally in our town halls and the House of Commons.  

This morning I woke up to more tales of sleaze. None of the main political parties can claim their hands are clean. Every time another report comes out of town halls and parliament of politicians helping themselves it undermines our democratic process. There needs to be a big clear up if they are going to restore confidence in local democracy. 

Barnet Community Campaign gives hope to those of us who still cling to the believe of local democracy. Take a look at the pictures from the march. These are real people, people who decided they wanted to express their anger at the decision to remove sheltered housing services in Barnet. People find it incredible that services for those of the most vulnerable can be cut when the government spend billions of pounds propping up corrupt financial system. A system which encouraged greed, indeed glorified in the bonuses, almost rubbing our noses in it, whilst the rest of us had to cope.  

Now we are being told that someone must pay.

 “Guess what?” It will be US to pay. Yes council workers who seen hundreds of colleagues made redundant, no pay increases, increased workload, annual restructures and still delivered in Barnet we delivered nearly £60 million in savings and managed to improve services! 

BUT, it is not enough. Most people will not know that the predicted budget forecast for council finances for the next four years is going to be worse than anything we have seen in nearly 20 years. 

So, take a good look at the pictures

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28819825@N02/

 

 

Support the campaign attend the lobby of the Council Cabinet Committee on 8 June