LETTERS
From Brian Rushton, Newport:
I DESPAIR when I think about the likely impact cuts in funding in excess of £100,000 are likely to have on the Riverside Centre.
Everyone knows what an asset this centre is.
I am further concerned that in addition to the funding cuts, our council is considering increasing River-side’s rental charge to £100,000. If this information is correct, it is disgraceful.
Why does a valuable amenity built with public donations, on what was not so valuable (former gas works) land attract what appears to be an exorbitant rent?
Surely, in view of the services the centre provides, the council should be funding it and permitting use of the land rent free.
Our director of resources is quoted saying: "It has to be remembered the council is responsible for public money and it is in the interest of all council taxpayers it gets a fair and reasonable rent for its properties in accordance with the terms of the existing leases in a sensible and professional manner."
I would, therefore, put it to Mr Burbage our council was not concerned about the rent due from Quay Arts or the Jubilee Stores when it gifted these buildings and land to the Quay Arts.
Please inform me how you can justify charging the Riverside Centre any rent whatsoever in such circumstances.
I do not wish to take anything away from Quay Arts, which provides our community with the much-needed arts facility, I am just using this example to show how unfair our council’s attitude towards Riverside appears.
Over these past years I have been one of our Island’s taxpayers who also contributed to the above-named establishments and made donations towards the building of the Riverside Centre.
From Jill Wareham, Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate, Brighstone:
Shame on you!: The disgraceful budget cuts pushed through last week by Conservative councillors will have a devastating effect on the most vulnerable people on the Island.
I have, over the past few weeks, visited many people who will be affected by these cuts, including adults with learning disabilities who live independently with the help of support staff.
When this support is cut some will be out on the streets, in residential homes, in hospital or back with their parents. I have also met with the parents of these adults who have expressed their extreme anxiety about their offspring’s futures.
I visited the Meadowbrook Day Centre, which caters for people with all sorts of disabilities. There was so much going on, the day I visited, with all the service users engaged in the many activities available.
I then visited the Riverside Centre to see how it caters for people with learning, physical and complex disabilities and what the cuts will mean to them.
Next stop was Westminster House, which does an invaluable job giving respite to people with disabilities. To think the people who use Westminster House would be able to attend either the Gouldings or Adelaide is unthinkable for both sets of clients.
Lastly, I met with a group of women who have suffered domestic abuse. Last year more than 500 women (and some men) were supported by the programmes developed to support people who suffer abuse.
The quality of life for these groups is utterly dependent upon funds provided through the Supporting People budget, which enables a dedicated team of support staff to deliver critical support, care and understanding.
Without these funds the lives of many vulnerable people will be ruined, with little saving, as the cost of care will be passed on to other 'critical’ services in times to come.
Service users I spoke to knew nothing of these cuts until reading it in the CP the week before the meeting.
Shame on you Conservatives, you are the only council in the country making cuts to the Supporting People budgets, targeting the most vulnerable in our communities.