Lobby your councillor in January against the cuts

If you live or work or study in Newcastle upon Tyne then you should make sure you lobby your councillor in January to oppose the cuts.

More information on the cuts can be found on this blog (scroll down)

But to find out which local ward you live, study or work in click here and simply fill in your postcode and it will take you to the ward information page

THey dont always make it easy so if it doesnt list your January ward committee and local ward surgeries here, then click here and type in your ward. Then select on any of the three councillors and it will tell you when there surgeries are.

(PS if you have councillors of different parties i.e. two lib dem and one labour) then they might have surgeries at different times. In which case you can go to both or either!

Some tips:
- go with other people (a protest, larger lobby will have more impact, you can let press know why you are there as well)
- if a local service is closing, pool, library, play centre. Contact other users or workers and let them know you are going and invite them to come too.
- get some facts (from this blog) or by talking to others users. i.e. whats closing in your ward, will the consultation period mean that they will consider not closing the service etc. 
- don't forget you can lobby about all services not just those in your ward. Most wards will be affected, libraries, youth, play, sure start, social care, street cleaning, environment etc. will effect every ward, but you also use services in the ward next door, in the city centre, across the city. If day centre you use is closing and its across the city still talk about this.
- think about what your asking them to do? Vote against cuts; not carry out the coalition governments cuts; link up with local residents / campaigners to oppose the budget; link up with councillors nationwide who are willing to make a stand; set a needs budget.

We'll post more this week on:
- needs budgets
- summary of the cuts
- strategies to defend local services (occupations; demonstrations; marches; pickets; read-ins etc)

Also why not let us know if you plan to lobby / protest and we will try and link up people in the same ward. Either email: anticutsnetwork@gmail.com or leave a comment here or contact us via facebook 

Review of 2012

Review of the last year: 2012

protesting outside city council

Anti Cuts Network was launched when students occupiers against fees and EMA cuts (from schools, colleges and both Unis) linked up with trade unionists, & community campaigners to oppose council cuts, benefit cuts, & attacks on our communities. It has continued as a local bottom up campagin open to all.

Jan - Feb
It doesnt seem like 12 months ago since we were coordinating protests at council consultation events and lobbies outside the council against cuts. But last January and February ACN were doing just that.
While the level of cuts last year were no way near as drastic as this years proposals, and while there was little local or national coverage. We knew then what we know now, these cuts will destroy our communities, jobs, lives and must be stopped.

Mar - April
The Lib Dems brought they national conference to Gateshead and ACN called a Clegg Off counter protest from Byker, through the Universities (to link up with students protestors) and through the town centre. To meet up with TUC protest at the quayside. 200 assembled at Byker and marched through town, for perhaps the most lively and longest march in Newcastle this year. We got local press and Sky TV coverage and had a good time.

May - June
Second wave of strikes over pensions, we supported picket lines and local rally and supported a public meeting with trade unionists including RMT in support of Metro cleaners. Later in May we held with UK UNCUT a hugely successful party on the metro. 80 of us turned up and gave police and metro managers the run around, showing our solidarity with cleaners demanding a living wage

July - August
We continued our campaigning to support cleaners (delivering 10,000 leaflets to communities where tyne and wear metro councilor representatives live and organised fantastic benefit at Irish Centre raising £300 for striking cleaners (with Jesters of the end time and Aztec Bangles)

Nov- occupying council chamber against cuts

Sep- Oct
A busy Autumn orgainsed ATOS protest, Workfare protest, supporting NFEN - Education not Deportation protest at Newcastle Uni in solidarity with London Met internatinal student threatened with deportation,

Nov - Dec
Helped build the big lobby of the council cabinet, proposing £90 milion cuts (a third of council budget) and help really useful post rally open meeting to discuss and plan the way forward. Helped build march and Save Libraries campaign and were involved in occupation of first full council meeting after cuts proposed. Also ACN activists central to building libraries, play and youth campaigns and local meetings, and proposed with others a big march against cuts. At December meeting proposed with others one united Stop the Cuts, Save our Services march and uniting all campaigns.

So quite a year really. Thanks to all activists, supporters, those new to Anti Cuts Network and those who have been involved from the start.

Activists Occupy Council Chamber in Opposition to Cuts

Activists from Save Newcastle Libraries, Anti Cuts Network, COR, Unison, Free Education Network and other local campaigns united to march on the first full city council meeting since the cuts were announced. Called by the newly formed Save Newcastle Libraries campaign 150 people marched from the City Library despite snow and cold to the city council

Once there 100 activists occcupied the council chamber and delayed the start of the full council meeting.

THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING

for feature in the chronicle see here

Meetings and protests coming up...

Next Anti Cuts Network
Wed 12 December - 5.30pm, Tyneside Irish Centre meeting room 1, 2nd floor

Summary of what's coming:
Mon 3 December 2012, 6.30 - 8.30 pm at West Denton Community Centre (formerly West Denton Association)
Tues 4 December 2012, 6 - 8pm at the Carnegie Building in Benwell 
Wed 5 December - 5pm, Blue Carpet, City Library March to Save Newcastle Libraries
Wed 5 December 2012, 6 – 8pm at Gosforth Civic Hall
Thurs 6 December: In Defence of Youth Work, 7pm, St Johns Church Hall, Grainger St, Newcastle
Thurs 6 December: Walker Library Campaign, 5.30pm, Walker Library Playgroup
Sat 8 December: Reclaim Starbooks (protest against tax evasion) meet 12noon, Monument
Mon 10 December: Newcastle Free Educaton Network (more info: contactnfen@gmail.com)
Tues 11 December: Save Newcastle Libraries campaign , St Johns Church Hall, 5.30pm
Wed 12 December Anti Cuts Network open planning meeting to coordinate against all cuts, 5.30pm, meeting room 1, Tyneside Irish Centre,
Thur 10 January 2013, 1.30 - 3.30pm at the Civic Centre
Sat 12 January 2013, 1 – 3pm at the Walker Activity Dome.

How to have a save about Newcastle Council

http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/your-council/budget-and-annual-report/have-your-say-our-newcastle-2016-budget

From Council Website:

Consultation closes on 1 February 2013 and your correspondence will be considered by councillors before deciding our final budget.
The best way to have your say is on www.letstalknewcastle.co.uk
Or you can:

• Email us at letstalk@newcastle.gov.uk
• Write to let’s talk, Room 161, Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE99 2BN

Come along to one of our area events:

• Monday 3 December 2012, 6.30 - 8.30 pm at West Denton Community Centre (formerly West Denton Association)
• Tuesday 4 December 2012, 6 - 8pm at the Carnegie Building in Benwell  
• Wednesday 5 December 2012, 6 – 8pm at Gosforth Civic Hall
• Thursday 10 January 2013, 1.30 - 3.30pm at the Civic Centre
• Saturday 12 January 2013, 1 – 3pm at the Walker Activity Dome.

You can also contact your local councillors:
http://democracy.newcastle.gov.uk/mgFindCouncillor.aspx

Find monthly ward committees:
http://www2.newcastle.gov.uk/wsapp.nsf/soapweb/PCSearch?opendocument?opendocument

Wed 5 November - March to Save Libraries - assemble 5pm, Blue Carpet / Newcastle City Library

Come to the march organised by Save Newcastle Libraries and supported by Anti Cuts Network and others.
For more info sign up to the facebook event here

As Newcastle City full council meets, with all 78 councillors discussing the proposals to close 11 of 18 libraries buildings cutting many jobs, services and closing vital local buildings in communities; and as George Osbournes national budget is announced, we will march and let our voices be heard.

Join us.

Assemble 5pm. Blue Carpet (opposite Newcastle City Library) to march to Newcastle Civic Centre

Map of where the cuts hit worst in the UK

The map produced by Newcastle City Council and published in last weeks guardian show that over 56 councils up and down the country and making cuts of over £100 per person this year.

So while Newcastle's cuts are very severe indeed, there a many council's with the same or more severe cuts that newcastle. In fact 20 councils are facing more severe cuts including:

e	ONS code	LA type	Pol Aff	Party code	Cut, £ per head	% of children living in poverty 2010	Ave deprivation ranking (1 is most deprived)	Benefit claimants, % of workforce, Sept 2012	Young claimants (16-24), % of workforce, Sept 2012	Public sector workers, % of 2010 workforce	geometry

00AG	Camden	E09000007	London Borough	<font color="red">Labour</font>	2	161.73	35.3	55	2.9	3.1	16.8	KML…
00AM	Hackney	E09000012	London Borough	<font color="red">Labour</font>	2	266.17	37.5	1	6.4	7.6	23.4	KML…
00AP	Haringey	E09000014	London Borough	<font color="red">Labour</font>	2	170.34	33.6	11	6.1	8.2	27.5	KML…
00AU	Islington	E09000019	London Borough	<font color="red">Labour</font>	2	196.50	41.4	6	4.7	6.2	19.1	KML…
00AY	Lambeth	E09000022	London Borough	<font color="red">Labour</font>	2	162.24	32.8	14	5.5	7.2	30.1	KML…
00BB	Newham	E09000025	London Borough	<font color="red">Labour</font>	2	244.76	35.7	2	6.9	7.8	33.9	KML…
00BE	Southwark	E09000028	London Borough	<font color="red">Labour</font>	2	177.39	31.5	25	5.1	6.4	17	KML…
00BG	Tower Hamlets	E09000030	London Borough	<font color="red">Labour</font>	2	203.62	48.6	3	6.2	8.6	20.1	KML…
00BN	Manchester	E08000003	Metropolitan District	<font color="red">Labour</font>	2	209.96	38.2	4	5.6	5.2	25	KML…
00BQ	Rochdale	E08000005	Metropolitan District	<font color="gray">NOC</font>	4	178.84	27	29	5.7	9.6	25.1	KML…
00BX	Knowsley	E08000011	Metropolitan District	<font color="red">Labour</font>	2	251.76	31.7	12	6.4	10.4	26.7	KML…
00BY	Liverpool	E08000012	Metropolitan District	<font color="red">Labour</font>	2	252.45	33.1	5	6.7	7.8	29.9	KML…
00BZ	St Helens	E08000013	Metropolitan District	<font color="red">Labour</font>	2	183.01	24.7	64	4.9	9	22.8	KML…
00CJ	Newcastle upon Tyne	E08000021	Metropolitan District	<font color="red">Labour</font>	2	162.09	29.2	66	4.7	4.6	33.5	KML…
00CL	South Tyneside	E08000023	Metropolitan District	<font color="red">Labour</font>	2	201.82	27.1	47	7.1	12.2	31.9	KML…
00CM	Sunderland	E08000024	Metropolitan District	<font color="red">Labour</font>	2	163.00	25.4	38	5.4	9.5	27.1	KML…
00CN	Birmingham	E08000025	Metropolitan District	<font color="red">Labour</font>	2	166.18	33.7	13	7.5	9.1	29	KML…
00EB	Hartlepool	E06000001	Unitary	<font color="red">Labour</font>	2	200.41	28.9	30	7.8	13	28.4	KML…
00EC	Middlesbrough	E06000002	Unitary	<font color="red">Labour</font>	2	171.47	33.3	27	8.1	10.6	37.4	KML…
00EX	Blackburn with Darwen	E06000008	Unitary	<font color="red">Labour</font>	2	205.40	26.8	28	5.1	7.7	28.9	KML…
00FA	Hull

500 protest against Newcastle Council Cuts - Wed 28 November

Unison and GMB initiated protest outside the city council cabinet meeting to discuss the proposed cuts.
The protest brought together trade unions, workers, groups like Anti Cuts Network, Save Newcastle Libraries, Newcastle Free Education Network as well as many community campaigns including parents from Cheviot View and Castle Dene centres and Play and Youth Centres planned to close.

Following the meeting 50 came to the "Where next?" informal meeting in the Hancock pub
More on the proposals from that meeting later.

Newcastle City Council propose 30% budget cut and to axe 1500 jobs over next three years

Last week Newcastle City Council proposed to cut £90 Million from its £250 milllion budget over the next three years with nearly 1500 people to be sacked, 750 this year.

Proposals include 11 library closures out of 18, closure of all play and all youth centres and sacking all play and youth sack. Alongside 90 other proposals to cut services, jobs and communities.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-20532104

Contact your local councillors to ask them to Support Metro Cleaners

We're distributing 20,000 of 5 different leaflets across the different local authorities who make up the Tyne and Wear Transport Authority. We are asking people to contact there local councillors to ask them to support the Cleaners. See our letter below and email your local councillors asking them to meet the demands listed in the letter:
Councillors:
cllr.gladys.hobson@southtyneside.gov.uk
cllr.alan.smith@southtyneside.gov.uk

cllr.jmcelroy@gateshead.gov.uk,
 cllr.sgreen@gateshead.gov.uk,
 cllr.pmaughan@gateshead.gov.uk

cllr.james.blackburn@sunderland.gov.uk,
 cllr.barry.curran@sunderland.gov.uk,
 cllr.anne.lawson@sunderland.gov.uk,
 Cllr.peter.wood@sunderland.gov.uk

frank.lott@northtyneside.gov.uk,
 edwin.hodson@northtyneside.gov.uk,
john.oshea@northtyneside.gov.uk

dave.wood@newcastle.gov.uk,
henri.murison@newcastle.gov.uk,
 greg.stone@newcastle.gov.uk,
 john.stokel-walker@newcastle.gov.uk  

 Dear Councillor and member of the Tyne and Wear Integrated Transport Authority

We are writing to you to ask for your support in demanding that Churchill pays a decent living wage to its cleaners, as well as decent conditions, sick pay, pensions, travel passes, and stops vicitmising staff for joining a union and raising concerns.

You will all be aware of the plight of the Tyne and Wear Metro Cleaners.
They have lobbied the TWITA on which you sit.

We don't need to remind you of:
- minimum wage pay, while working at the front line of public services
- statutory minimum sick pay
- no pensions
- victimisation
- no travel passes

We don't need to remind you that other workers on the metro get better pay and conditions, and that the cleaners are the lowest paid of workers and get the worst pay and conditions without free travel passes - a recognised norm of working in transport is to get travel on the service you deliver.

We don't need to remind you that you wouldn't accept this poor pay and conditions for council workers who you employ directly, and that in at least one Tyne and Wear Authority councillors have recently commited to a Living Wage for council workers, other commissioned services and campaigning for all employers in to support this lviing wage.

We don't need to remind you that while paying poverty pay and proposng a 0% pay rise this year, Churchill profits rose by over 80%.

We don't need to remind you that RMT cleaners voted 100% for strike action. You can't get a more democratic mandate from workers for their union.

So how can we ensure that cleaners on the metro get such a Living Wage and improvements to conditions.

Here are just a few things you could do:
-  come out publically in favour of the cleaners demand
- demand of Churchill's that they address the cleaners demands and pay a living wage and improved conditions
- inform the local press and media your support for the workers
- as members of TWITA you could decide to honour the demand for free travel passes for all cleaners immediately (this would be a gesture that is in your power to make, but would also show up Churchill's unreasonable behaviour)
- raise with DB Regio concerns about how they have commissioned cleaning on the metro and ask them to put pressure on Churchills to improve conditions
- meet with RMT representatives and cleaners to discuss there concerns
- come and support the cleaners on the picket lines when future strikes dates are planned

In the next few weeks the Anti Cuts Network will be distributing 20,000 leaflets door to door and on stalls across Tyne and Wear to encourage residents to support the metro cleaners, to lobby yourselves as councillors (so you now that this has public support) and to lobby Churchill direct.

We will of course be happy to work with you if you give your full support to the cleaners and to share throughout our networks the actions you take to support the cleaners.

We are confident that this is a campaign that can succeed and that together we can secure a Living Wage for all Cleaners and decent pay conditions, and travel for all who work on the metro.

Tyne and Wear Anti Cuts Network