Thank you Madam Mayor,
As a result of Corporate Blindness, As a result of complete incompetence, As a result of not listening and running up a debt of over £1.5 billion you are now attacking the most vulnerable and poorest residents in our borough.
Not satisfied with bankrupting the council and making poor decisions buying hotels and shopping centres you are now in a deep dark black hole with no way out and have decided to cut care packages and numerous council services for those who need it most. It really is unbelievable.
Not satisfied with a 20% cut in care packages, and disbanding services for disabled employment support you have now taken your axe to the Welfare Rights Team. I was shocked when I received an email from Mr Kim Gadsby who states “this will have a major negative impact on the most vulnerable residents in terms of poverty, ill health and homelessness.
Many councillors in this chamber refer residents to this service and I would hope that you would support me tonight in this debate motion in protecting the hundreds of residents who are going to suffer under these proposals. I certainly hope that Councillor Janet Campbell will stand up for these residents.
It is estimated that the Welfare Rights team save £12 million pounds worth of losses to residents and over £2 million pounds in revenue to the council. But hey what the heck what’s a few million pounds to the council when you owe a billion and a half must be nothing. Again another poor decision which doesn’t make good sense.
Council cuts to these services and the voluntary sector will leave many destitute, and this is all because the Administration didn’t listen, didn’t act when they should have. It will also leave everyone in a worse financial position.
If you are looking for savings sell Brick by Brick, The Colonnades or the hotel. Don’t attack these residents who have nowhere to go and only Conservative Councillors to stand up for them. Croydon residents deserve better.
Join me and support these residents in our Borough. I support the motion.
