A series of protests and campaign actions are planned to take place over the coming weeks, as the council cuts decision date approaches.
The Isle of Wight Stop the Cuts Alliance tell us that they’re set to ramp up their public actions.
Following last week’s ‘Book Out’ at Newport library, tomorrow sees a public rally and lobby at East Cowes Town Hall take place from 10.3010.00am.
This coincides with the public meeting with the Town Council.
Monday 31 January
‘Phone a councillor day’ on Monday 31 January will see residents ring the bells at County Hall when they call to make appointments to meet with their local councillors. The Alliance urges Islanders to vent their feelings in response to the publication of the ruling group’s cuts budget.
Tuesday 8 February
The action comes to the door of County Hall on Tuesday 8 February at 5pm with a rally and lobby to greet the council members when they arrive for their Cabinet budget meeting.
Saturday 19 February
There is also a march and rally planned through Newport set to start at 11am on Saturday 19 February – meetings with the police have already taken place and the route agreed.
Wednesday 23 February
A further mass rally at County Hall is planned for Wednesday 23 February to coincide with the full council meeting at which the axe is finally set to fall.
Tanja Rebel, chair of the Alliance, said, “We want people to get involved; the ‘book out’ was a great success, the lobbies of local town council meetings have been well supported – we now need not only to keep the pressure on, but step it up. We are proud of our excellent public services and want to defend them – it would be a tragedy if they are lost.”
