MARTIN'S LAST MINUTE PLEA TO STOP CUTS (Cheltenham Liberal Democrats)

Cheltenham Liberal Democrats <info@cheltlibdems.org.uk>

MARTIN'S LAST MINUTE PLEA TO STOP CUTS

February 8, 2008 3:00 PM

CHELTENHAM MP Martin Horwood has made an eleventh hour plea to the Conservative leadership of Cheltenham Borough Council to stop damaging cuts that will threaten the futures of Cheltenham's youth council MAD, tenants group the Cheltenham Federation, the Cheltenham Housing Aid Centre and Cheltenham Community Support Centre in the lower High Street.

Martin met council leader Councillor Duncan Smith (Con, Charlton Kings) at one of their regular face to face meetings this morning.

'I have personally seen the work done by MAD and its full-time staff and I am very concerned that the Conservatives seem to think this can be cut back in this way. Jobs are at risk in a project that works with young people enabling them to make a positive contribution to their community, lobby on the issues that matter to them and gain enormously in confidence. They have lobbied me very effectively and put me in touch with my younger constituents. With all the negative press that young people get these days I would have thought this was vital work that needed to be supported more not less.'

'The Conservatives' 'rationalisation' of homelessness and housing advice services is threatening help given to some of our most vulnerable citizens. The Support Centre in the Lower High Street does invaluable work that any other agency will struggle to replicate. They know their clients so well and help them navigate the maze of official forms and benefits and tax credit calculations that can land people in real difficulty. And the same process is also threatening to close down the Cheltenham Housing Aid Centre. My own team and I turn to them for help and advice on housing issues because we know they have years and years of expertise.'