The Sekhemka Action Group warned of this during our campaign. LAs have no statuary duty to keep museums or libraries open so whenever there is little money for essential services the cultural services will go first despite the fact that they often get very little from the LA budget. In 2012-13 Northampton Borough Council spent 0.1% of their total budget on their museum services including salaries and maintenance. I doubt that the present spending on museum services is greater.
Whilst I recognise that budgets are strained and people don’t want more increases in personal taxes and council tax, redundancies at this economically worrying time, particularly in this sector will lead to more people forced to be on benefits. Thus shifting the strain on the public purse elsewhere
Here we go again! These proposed job cuts are likely to be just the start of the process of trying to manage with less and less money for services as central government try to shift the burden of austerity policies on to the regions. The only guarantee for the future is that councillors will not be out of pocket - and they may even manage to up their fees and allowances.
The Sekhemka Action Group warned of this during our campaign. LAs have no statuary duty to keep museums or libraries open so whenever there is little money for essential services the cultural services will go first despite the fact that they often get very little from the LA budget. In 2012-13 Northampton Borough Council spent 0.1% of their total budget on their museum services including salaries and maintenance. I doubt that the present spending on museum services is greater.
Whilst I recognise that budgets are strained and people don’t want more increases in personal taxes and council tax, redundancies at this economically worrying time, particularly in this sector will lead to more people forced to be on benefits. Thus shifting the strain on the public purse elsewhere
The new museum,gallery and cafe would be the heart of “ the cultural quarter”. The extra space for events and cafe would genera income, we were told.
West Northants not interested in Northampton history or heritage.
Here we go again! These proposed job cuts are likely to be just the start of the process of trying to manage with less and less money for services as central government try to shift the burden of austerity policies on to the regions. The only guarantee for the future is that councillors will not be out of pocket - and they may even manage to up their fees and allowances.
Shame they don't have a cull at the top of the Council!