Amber Valley Borough Council wants whole department axed to tackle budget deficit
A DERBYSHIRE council wants to axe a department which provides school sports coaching and arts workshops in an effort to plug a forecast £2.5m budget deficit.
Trade union Unison has condemned Amber Valley Borough Council's proposal and one special school head teacher said the move could damage her children's education.
The 16 leisure development department posts are among 80 that the council wants to cut in an effort to plug the deficit it has forecast for 2009-10.
The department's work includes running sports training and competitions for primary schools, music festivals, school arts workshops and other extra-curricular activities.
But it will be axed if the authority's planned restructure is confirmed at a full council meeting on November 5.
Among those who could be affected by the cut are the children at Alfreton Park Community School.
Head teacher Rosemary MacKenzie said: "They have made a difference to our children, providing things like extra-curricular tennis lessons.
"Our children have severe and complex learning difficulties, some are autistic, and the coaches tailor their lessons to their needs.
"I understand that if the council has budget difficulties it needs to address the problem but we would be disappointed to see them go."
One member of staff from the department who contacted the Evening Telegraph told of her shock after receiving a letter saying her job was "at risk".
The employee said: "Everyone was called into a meeting on Wednesday and told about the problems. Hours later we received the letters.
"The public will not know that many activities that they take part in and are established will no longer take place."
Unison, which represents most of the council's 400-plus staff, agreed that the department should be saved.
East Midlands organiser Charlie Carruth said: "The department plays an important role in getting people active and healthy and works with the NHS and schools to do this.
"Everyone in the department could lose their jobs."
Council leader Stuart Bradford said proposing to axe the department did not mean the council would stop supporting sport in the borough.
He said: "I'm aware that the leisure development department is one of the areas at risk due to the restructure.
"But we will continue to improve facilities such as parks, playing fields and leisure centres to improve health and well-being."
Mr Bradford blamed the budget deficit on below-inflation Government grants.
He said its £9.6m grant for this year would increase by only 1.5% in 2009 and by 1.4% in 2010, despite a forecast for inflation to reach 5% by March.
3 Comments
by Mig, Derby
Monday, October 27 2008, 10:43AM
“This is an utter disgrace, and shows no real commitment to these children. Were these initiatives set up as a shallow PR exercise that can be axed whenever the need takes them? Shame on you Amber Valley Borough Council, you have obviously lost touch with good these activities were wielding in the community. How about a proper review of spending and resource across the board rather than a knee-jerk axing of services?”
by Alan, Belper
Saturday, October 25 2008, 12:30PM
“The whole episode is a disgrace!Those who messed up the budget and lost the money to Iceland will keep their jobs,whereas those who are lower down the scale will lose theirs,along with the public losing out on service they've come to rely on. And with regard to Cllr Bradford's pathetic excuses,how many other local councils across the country have a £2.5 million deficit? I think the answer to that question would be NONE.Go now,Mr Bradford and Mr Carney!”
by Geoff, Ripley
Saturday, October 25 2008, 9:34AM
“This is an outrage!As a resident who's lived in Amber Valley all of my life,I have never known a Council exhibit such ineptitude.How the hell have they got into this mess in the first instance??It's obvious that the 'management' and the leader of the council are incompetent.The Chief Executive is paid £110,000 a year PLUS expenses I would think.Cllr.Bradford is obviously on a basic[but large] allowance plus expenses.Between them they couldn't organise the proverbial brewery party!!Now they're punishing much needed sports coaches and unfortunate children for their own deficiencies.I'm totally ashamed to be linked with this Borough as Messrs Carney,Bradford et al are making us all look stupid on a regular basis.For goodness sake,residents/councillors in Amber Valley,see the light and let's boot out these incompetents rather than lose lesser,more useful people! Children MUST come first!”