People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin
Said the Foyleside councillor: “The DfC decision to slash funding for the Rates Support Grant and the Labour Market Partnership is a further blow for Derry and the North West.
“This amounts to more than £1 million in desperately needed lost funding for the Council.
“We will be calling on the Derry and Strabane Council to strenuously campaign for the RSG reduction to be reversed – and for a substantial increase instead.
“The cessation of LMP funding will potentially wipe-out Council jobs and undercuts efforts to assist people with employment opportunities. This decision must also be reversed.
“The RSG was first implemented to assist less well-off Council areas with some extra funding.
“From its inception, it never amounted to a serious financial attempt to undo the legacy of regional inequality.
“However, it has still faced relentless cuts by consecutive Stormont ministers, from an initial £20 million plus in 2008 to less than £5 million now.
“Unelected DfC officials are treating Derry and Strabane residents with the same distain as did the Stormont Executive when it functioned.
“Large parties on Council now think they have a mandate to pass on further austerity – we won’t accept that.
“Much is at stake for the entire Council area.
“Instead of rolling over at the outset, councillors should learn from the successful Council workers strike.
“They should learn from campaigners who spearheaded the successful effort to reverse cuts to Sure Start, the Pathway Fund and Youth Services.
“It doesn’t matter how many seats a party has on Council – shrugging their shoulders and telling people more hardship is inevitable isn’t leadership.
“The Secretary of State and the DfC Permanent Secretary need to know we hold them personally responsible for inflicting pain on residents in Derry and Strabane Council District,” added Cllr Harkin.
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