Give strike money to Islington charities, urge LibDems (Islington Liberal Democrats)

Islington Liberal Democrats <Islington_ld@cix.co.uk>

Give strike money to Islington charities, urge LibDems

December 5, 2011 12:00 AM

Islington Council should give the money it saved on staff salaries during the industrial acion last week to local charities and elderly groups, Islington Liberal Democrats have urged.

As a result of the national industrial action last Wednesday over proposed reforms to public sector pensions, Islington Council saved around £51,000 on its wages bill. Liberal Democrat councillors have now called on the council to use this funding as a goodwill gesture in the run-up to Christmas to help local community groups and the voluntary sector in Islington.

The council will otherwise add the saving to its growing cash reserves. A report to the last meeting of the council's Executive revealed that Labour councillors will transfer nearly £10million it has managed not to spend these past two years to its cash reserves. The report also showed that Labour councillors are set to fail to spend more than £35million of its capital budget this year.

Islington Liberal Democrat leader, councillor Terry Stacy, said:

"With the millions the council is salting away in its reserves each year, it is hard for local groups to understand why they are being made to suffer funding cuts by the council.

"The council now has this unexpected saving of £51,000 as a result of the recent industrial action and there could be more to come if there are more strikes. Rather than just adding this to the council's growing cash pile in the bank, they should give the money to Islington community groups.

"This would be a great goodwill gesture in the spirit of Christmas and give a real helping hand to the many groups who make such a difference day in, day out to so many Islington residents."

ENDS

Note to Editors

The council deducts a day's salary from staff for each day they go on strike. It also deducts the same amount for any staff with unauthorised absence on the day of action.
Last Wednesday's industrial action meant a council wage bill saving of £51,000.