Monday, September 27, 2010

Reminder: Demo Wednesday!

There is a Demo in Worthing this Wednesday (29th September 2010) meet at 4pm outside the Town hall marching off at approx 5:30pm to the Guildbourne centre for a rally and speakers from 6-7pm

Part of a Europe-wide day of action against cuts called by the European trade unions. We already know about the threat to our day centres, fire stations and other local cuts, but much more is to come. Come and join us to show your opposition to cuts - "no cuts, make the bankers pay!"

We need this to be as big as possible so please try to attend if you can and bring some mates. If we are just passive spectators to these cuts they will ruin our lives only by fighting together can we stop them!

Thursday, September 09, 2010

Save Our Day Centres!

The Rowans - Multi purpose Day Centre for elderly and disabled people. Steeple View (off Pelham Road), Worthing

The County Council wants to transfer 25% of day centre users to the voluntary sector, but most of the vountary sector is not geared up to support people with significant disabilities and dementia. In reality, there will be few services to pick up where the Council leaves off. ON top of this, the Government and the Council are cutting important grants to the voluntary sector. People in Worthing continue to want high quality centre-based day services. There are hidden costs in the County Council's proposals and the reality is there will be no money left to develop alternatives to the Council's day centres. After all that, the County Council wants to look at privatising The Rowans!

It is vital that people in Worthing come along to the public consultation meeting. Keep the Rowans public and keep the Rowans open to all levels of disability!

Public consultation meeting:
Tuesday 14th September, 2:30-4pm, Charmandean Centre, Forest Road, Worthing, BN14 9HS

For more background information see the Council's web page
Also see Unison's paper on day centres (PDF)

Worthing Solidarity Network - Update and events

Worthing Solidarity Network is going from strength to strength. Last night's meeting was so well attended that the venue nearly couldn't fit us all! Many, many trade unions, local campaign groups and individuals were represented. Information was given on several important issues; the attempts to privatise and close down day centres for older people, The attempt the close Findon Fire station, the keep the post public campaign and an update from the NUT (National Union of Teachers). After that we even had time to arrange some actions! So here are a few dates for your diary:

Thursday 9th September, 7:45 pm - Brighton Stop The Cuts public meeting. Caroline Lucas is speaking as well as trade unionists and others.

Saturday 11th September 11am-2pm - Worthing Solidarity Network stall. We will be holding a stall in town centre (at the benches opposite the band stand) to let people know what we're up to.

Tuesday 14th September 2:15pm - Save Our Day Centres! West Sussex County Council are holding a public consultation meeting, so we get to give our views on the propossed changes to Day Centres.

Wednesday 22nd September 8:30pm - Worthing Solidairty Network Meeting. Our regular meeting held in the conservatory of Weatherspoons.

Wednesday 29th September 4pm - Day of local action against cuts. Meet at Worthing Town Hall 4pm, bring banners and be ready to make your views heard!!!

Sunday 3rd October - Protest at the Tory Party Conference. The conference is in Birmingham, transport is being organised from Worthing, details to follow. Predictably, the police are trying to stop people marching past the conference centre see here for a petition against this