On the 12th Nov 2009 all Council funded voluntary and community groups were invited to a meeting organised by Wolverhampton City Council to receive an update on the council’s current savings programme. This is the first time that we have had the opportunity to speak to the Council Leader Neville Patton, the Lead member for Regeneration and Communities Cllr Pask and Interim Chief Executive Steve Boyes at the same time, for which we give our thanks. The presentation given by Karen Cross, Head of Community Initiatives Team is on the WOW web site for members. We are all aware of the difficult situation that the country and the city face in relation to the global economic situation and that savings need to be made. The sector is aware that we need to work in partnership to achieve the best outcomes for vulnerable individuals and communities. Our view is that these savings need to be proportionate - which currently they are not. £375k has already been saved from the Community Initiatives budget sadly through the closure of some services leaving some clients unsupported. Another £375k cut will be discussed at a cabinet meeting on the 9th December 2009 with the potential of a possible further 200k cuts to follow. The meeting will take place at the Civic Centre starting at 17.00 and is open to the public.
If these cuts go ahead that will mean that one third of the total budget for voluntary and community groups has been lost. I believe all those in the meeting were left without any doubt of the damage cuts of this magnitude will cause to the city’s reputation, nationally and locally and the impact on services, clients, employment and those most vulnerable in our City. The women’s sector is under-resourced and only 4 organisations locally receive funding which is grossly disproportionate to the female population in the city, and we are extremely concerned about any potential cuts. Such cuts will cause further harm to equality issues for women and hinder achievement of the Gender Equality Duty which WOW is supporting the Council and other partners to achieve.
It would assist our cause if WOW members could support us and make their feelings known to their local council members. We are asking all WOW members to please write to the Council in support of women’s services and their development in the city. Wolverhampton has received many National awards and only last week received the award for its Compact at a meeting in London. There is no doubt that we have a third sector to be proud of. As referrals from the most vulnerable increase it is at times like this that we need our cost effective, passion driven, value based volunteers and staff that work in the Third Sector.
Kath Rees
Chief Executive
The Haven Wolverhampton