Cuts Cuts and More cuts

It seems after a couple of years of stability in comparison to other Boroughs Haringey has caught the cuts bug. Fr the first time since 2000 we have received a "Section 188 Notice" The Formal notice an Employer is required ot serve when it is proposed to have more than 20 redundancies. Well when I say served that would be a bit of an exaggeration we actually got a rather limited and disorganised letter from the Employers with a list of posts lacking most of the important information we need. The notice was so jumbled that we have had to request additional information in order to identity those at risk.

As ever the Council has money to pay for new logoes, rebranding etc but not for vital services such as Care , Outreach libraries Services and the Wardens service The total number of staff potentially facing redundancy is in excess of 70. However it appears the position may be worse as we have already identified additional posts not included on the notice.

We will be working with the local community to oppose these attacks on the most vulnerable in our society.We will also be supporting those members effected and seeking to protect as many jobs as possible by way of redeployment

Victory Not yet Quite Complete-The Childrens Centres

It seems we may have defeated the Council's move towards privatisation of the Childrens Centres. (Something which they are now naturally denying was ever their intent): Apparently their report was badly phrased when it instructed Officers to begin a procurement exercise for an alternative provider! This actually meant; according to fast backpedalling Councillors when faced with united parental staff and union opposition that they would consider whether "added value" could be given by exploring partnerships with the voluntary and community sector.

Any hows the long and the short is three of the five Centres are to be considered for devolving to Schools through service level agreements.This has its own dangers but is infinitely preferable to privatisation, we shall be working closely to protect our members interests and that of the users of these Centres. A fourth is to be considered for the same treatment or for a dreaded partnership (the acceptable P word). The fifth in the most deprived ward in the borough is due to become a 0-90 Centre (sounds marvellous doesn't it) but nobody including Senior Officers or Councillors seem able to tell us what that means yet!

We have however been given an absolute guarantee that none of these arrangements will require the transfer of staff out of the Council which is a victory of sorts. We shall be continuing to work with Parents against Privatisation to hold the council accountable for its actions