A Cathays Youth Centre speaker against the cuts
Around 100 people stood in protest of the council budget meeting yesterday, making their protestations heard with loudspeakers and banners.
Around a dozen volunteers from various backgrounds made speeches against the cuts to services.The car park in front of City Hall was gated off to allow councillors access through the crowd.
The Cardiff Against the Cuts group wrote an open letter to all councillors urging them not to vote for the Labour budget proposal.
But the majority party was unaffected by the pleas. Ross Saunders, secretary of Cardiff Against the Cuts, said: “No councillor who puts their hand up in the air to vote for this budget can claim to stand up for their community.
The group proposed Cardiff Council gave a flat out refusal to pass on the cuts. They highlighted Liverpool’s effort in the 1980s against Margaret Thatcher’s regime.
They also encouraged the council to utilise its large cash reserves. But only a small proportion of the £50m pot would be available for immediate use.
Anne Greagsby (right) talks with other protestors
Community activist Anne Greagsby even took her cause into the council chamber, continually heckling and interrupting speakers.
After several incendiary remarks she was politely told to leave by the Lord Mayor, but Ms Greagsby roundly ignored him. Guards were forced to intervene and she eventually left the public gallery blasting on a whistle.
The Council passed the proposed Labour budget despite two different amendments being put forward by opposition groups.
Plaid Cymru had an official amendment to reduce the salaries of the highest paid council workers rejected. A public question revealed there are 14 council officers earning more than £120,000 a year, not including pensions.
Cardiff Council’s Independents also had an amendment rejected. Their suggestions would have actually meant more cuts than Labour’s proposal, but would have meant a reduced council tax rise.
