Council cuts complaint upheld
by Lisa Swift

The Council’s decision to cut spending on advice services in February 2000 led to the loss of advice workers at the Yemeni Community Association (YCA) and SADACCA. Three years on their complaints to the Local Government Ombudsman have been upheld and the verdict of maladministration could result in the return of a worker to YCA.

Not racism
The Messenger reported on the planned cuts in September 2000 (see right), but despite campaigns against the decision, £200,000 of cuts were still made. YCA complained the withdrawal of funding for their advice worker amounted to institutional racism, and although the Ombudsman did not find this to be the case she did recommend that the Council fund the return of an advice worker at YCA. She also recommended that advice services for elderly Afro-Caribbean people become a priority.

Abdul Shaif, Chair of YCA, told the Messenger, “We are delighted that the decision is in our favour. I am also delighted for the community because this shows big institutions can be taken on and made to deliver. It’s also a victory for advice centres. We still believe the Council’s decision was racist and we will continue to consider ways of challenging institutional racism.”

Council Failures
The Ombudsman’s report found the Council failed to properly explain its decision to cut funding, failed to look at provision for advice to black and ethnic minority communities, failed to collect reliable data on the size of ethnic minority populations in the city and failed to ensure the Cabinet had all the papers it needed to make the decision to cut funding.

View summary of the Ombudsman's report

View original article: Radical plan cuts £200,000 from advice services

Next month's issue: Rob Smith visits the YCA