Activist network of workers, students, retired and claimants in and around Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
The network was launched out of the bottom up protests of the students, which others were keen to support and now campaigns against cuts.

We meet every fortnight at organise specifically to oppose cuts to services, jobs and communities.

We aim to coordinate with other local campaigns including campaigns to save Libraries; Youth services; Play services; Pools & Leisure centres; City Hall; Sure Start services etc.

anticutsnetwork@gmail.com

Monday 31 December 2012

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.

Wednesday 12 December 2012

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

Tuesday 4 December 2012

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

Monday 3 December 2012

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

Sunday 2 December 2012

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