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Under threat law service offers help for vulnerable
• YOUR report on the threat to the Community Law Centre in Kentish Town and our local citizens advice bureaux from council funding cuts is very disturbing (Advice centres face closure, Oct 19).
These services often make a massive difference to the lives of some of the more vulnerable people in society.
Unfortunately, the funding cuts are indicative of the wider approach of the council towards the voluntary sector.
Under Labour, Camden had by far the highest support for the voluntary sector in London, as it was seen as tool to tackle inequality and support deprived communities.
But the sector is now the easiest target for a council with its priorities fixed firmly elsewhere (see for example the decision to build a new school in affluent Swiss Cottage rather than the south of the borough).
We know some voluntary sector funding has been cut, more is ‘under review’ and the council is committed to ‘spending freezes,’ which mean cuts in real terms.
A forewarning of the Lib Dem approach can be found in Islington. Upon taking power, the Lib Dem council viciously slashed the voluntary sector and drove many organisations to the wall. It is vital that local organisations in Camden do not allow the same thing to happen here.
The council is now promoting its ‘Camden Together’ community strategy document, laying out its priorities for the next six years. Public meetings will be held in every ward in the borough. Concerned citizens should go along and challenge the Tory-Lib Dem alliance over their plans.
PHIL JONES
Hawley Road, NW1
• AS a Kentish Town resident, I’m really concerned that the council is going to stop funding the Camden Community Law Centre.
I know many people who really rely on it. It helps make sure that people get access to benefits and gives support to some of the worst off who need the most help.
Why are the Lib Dems and the Tories going to axe this vital service? Our Lib Dem councillors in Kentish Town made a big fuss in the election about supporting local shops and services, but I don’t see their names quoted in the report opposing this move.
Oliver Paterson
Torriano Avenue, NW5
• I AM writing in response to last week’s article concerning Camden Law Centre, which may have to close, due to budget cuts of £1.6 million agreed by Camden’s Lib Dem-Conservative council executive.
Along with the three Citizens Advice Bureaux branches and Disability in Camden (also likely to be affected by cuts), the law centre has for many years provided a valuable advice service to vulnerable and low-income residents.
Just as in Islington, when the Lib Dem administration sought to make budget reductions, it is the voluntary sector which gets hit.
Camden Council under the Labour administration worked with a flourishing and vibrant voluntary sector to deliver high-quality services to many residents, from lone parents and young people to older citizens, to reduce inequalities.
All this is at risk. I fear that this is just the first of many cuts to services in the borough. The Labour Party in Camden must do everything they can to stop this happening.
Deirdre Krymer
Oakford Road, NW5
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