Socialist Party Wales Socialism In Wales
By Mariam Kamish, Secretary Caerphilly Trades Council (in a personal capacity)
Caerphilly Council’s cabinet is proposing to close two South Wales Valleys cultural icons and end an essential service to the community. Not out of financial necessity – but on the advice of a consultancy firm.
The plans – out for public consultation until 10 September – include the closure of Blackwood Miners’ Institute – beloved for championing local acts, while delivering big names like Black Sabbath and Mark Steel – but also as a venue for public meetings and local community groups.
Blackwood Miners is a beautiful, well-maintained, recently renovated 99-year-old building, built by miners and their families.
Llancaiach Fawr, a Tudor Manor House dating to 1540, would also close – losing popular ghost tours and re-enactments and a popular tourist attraction.
Most shocking of all are proposals to axe Meals Direct (ex-Meals on Wheels). This would rob the most vulnerable people in Caerphilly borough of their one hot meal a day. But the council says it has no statutory duty to provide hot meals.
The cuts of £1 million a year have been proposed by consultancy firm Perago, whom the council have paid an estimated £2 million for ‘help’ with restructuring.
All Caerphilly Council departments underspent last year. Jointly, they returned £8.2 million from their allocated budgets. Council reserves stand at £184 million.
Even by the standards of Welsh Labour, there’s no financial need to lose these irreplaceable institutions.
Caerphilly Council has already agreed £20 million of cuts – and plans £45 million more over the next two years.
The Socialist Party says:
- Keep Meals Direct and the venues open! Dip into the council’s £184 million reserves as a temporary measure
- Build a mass campaign of communities and trade unions to defend all council services and jobs
- Band together with other councils to demand adequate funding from Labour Senedd and Westminster government
- Councillors – represent those who elected you or stand aside for those prepared to fight for what our communities need
