The chair of North Lichfield Initiative has described proposed cuts to community services as “short-sighted and wrong”.
Colin Ball was one of a number of campaigners who made their feelings known to Lichfield District Council at their overview and scrutiny committee meeting last week.
The local authority has identified around £1.7million of savings as part of its Fit for the Future review.
But an internal report suggests that cuts to budgets relating to community development could lead to the closure of the North Lichfield Initative.
“I believe the current proposals from what I have read to be both short-sighted and wrong – and likely to lead to a reversal of the upward trend in the community of North Lichfield.
“Finally, given the strong emphasis in partnership working that we have developed with Lichfield District Council over the past years, I would have expected to have been told about these proposals ahead of reading about them in the local media.”
Mr Ball’s opposition was echoed by Ian Hayter, Minister at Wade Street Church.
“I find it very difficult to see how these proposals as they stand possibly be justified – politically or morally,” he said.
“As a local minister I believe it is vital to seek the common good and to work alongside others to promote community cohesion, health and well-being, ideals which have long appeared to be at the heart of Lichfield’s ethos and policies.
“These proposals clearly undermine such commitments as they take away staff whose dedication and clearly displayed abilities help make all this happen.”
The leader of Lichfield District Council’s Labour opposition group has re-iterated his calls for local people to continue making their voices heard on the cuts.
Cllr Steve Norman explained: “These dramatic proposals have not been agreed yet by the council and I would urge all those affected, whether in a youth club, an exercise class, a play scheme, who want to use shopmobility scooters or just feel safer with CCTV around them to make their views known to their own councilors and MPs before the council meeting on July 9.
“The Cabinet meets on July 2 to make recommendations to the council meeting and attendance by those affected by the proposals will ensure the Cabinet thinks again.”
Meanwhile, Cllr Norman has also set up a petition to fight some of the proposed cuts.
