In a move to promote the mayor

In a move to promote the mayor’s latest vanity project and salvage money from any corner, the arts complex in Stratford, which serves the whole borough is about to be dealt a blow from which it is unlikely to recover.

A vast increase in spending on young people should be something that we can all celebrate. Unfortunately, the increase in spending seems to be going on buildings that will be the backdrop for photo-opportunities for the mayor, transforming Stratford Circus into a giant activity centre.

In a time of plenty that might even have been positive. In a time of economic stress it seems like a wilful misuse of funds.

The new Circus will doubtless produce lots of positive images of children doing productive and enjoyable things. If you throw money like confetti, it would be hard to do otherwise. But the mayor’s promise was to cut violence amongst young people. There is little evidence that those young people in criminal and gang related activity will be touched by this at all. Indeed, the early indications suggest that it is not for them.

Meanwhile, the figures on Newham’s own website continue to show, violent crime, drug offences, robberies, asb etc outstripping the London rates.

And Disabled Children and People with Learning Disabilities

We have noted with concern a general movement away from the inclusion of children and young people with disabilities. It is perhaps easier to pack them off where they won’t be seen.

One of the early casualties of the mayor’s new priorities is a group of learning disabled people who have been learning through participation in drama. You will see more in the attached pdf. 

It is not too late. We can see no reason why activities for LD people cannot be incorporated into a new programme, even if it is under new management, that is if Newham Council still believes that disabled people are a part of our community. 

If they don’t, then that would explain a lot.

A petition is being raised if you wish to support it, here. 

To save costs, Newham has decided that it would be a good wheeze to chop £256,000 from the grant to Stratford Theatre. Details of the campaign to save the arts in Newham are in the attached pdf here.