Story: Rachael Pearson
Sheffield Council has been consulting on axing community assemblies to slash spending
The current council budget of £1.6 million for local projects will reduce to £300,000 citywide. As well as public meetings, the Community Assembly has a budget for small amounts of funding that make a difference. These have helped the festivals, the Messenger, the youth, health and adult learning networks, and groups that do Tae Kwon Do, football, crafts and dance.
Funding has helped the Girl Guides, activities for children and young people, carers and tenants associations.
Saleema Imam, who regularly attends the meetings, said,
“Decisions will be made, without consultation with Burngreave community members, by council officials who often have no grassroots information whatsoever about the area. The old stereotypes about the area and its community will dictate its future.”
Councillors plan to have ward based support so elected members can still work with community groups and residents.
Tim Neal, who helps run the Friends of Abbeyfield Park, said,
“My concern is that some sort of public forum for Council decisions to be made accountable is needed.”
The consultation ran until 28th January 2013. For more information, call 273 6751 or visit www.sheffield.gov.uk/northeast.