‘Merge or lose cash’ ultimatum for luncheon club The Bridge
Cuts may mean fewer lunches served, but organisers say: ‘We aren’t talking about closure’
Published: 25th March, 2011
by PETER GRUNER
PENSIONERS voiced fears this week that another popular luncheon club in Islington could be hit by public spending cuts.
The Bridge, which has been running for 25 years on the Marquess estate, off St Paul’s Road, has been told it must merge with another club or lose £10,000 Islington Council funding.
At the same time the club, with 25 members ranging in age from 65 to 100, has been told to expect to lose its free ambulance, which transports disabled people from home to lunch.
Another luncheon club, Sotheby Mews in Highbury, was saved with reduced services after it agreed to merge with Highbury Roundhouse community centre.
Anthony Wilsdon, administrator with Canonbuy Community Baptist Church, which runs The Bridge, said the club had not yet been told who it could merge with.
“We are still talking with the council but I understand that we could lose our funding if we are not prepared to merge,” he added.
The club has just installed a new fitted kitchen and dining hall but it could just about squeeze in a few more pensioners for lunch.
“We are not talking about closure but we are worried about future activities,” said Mr Wilsdon.
“We may have to reduce the days in which we serve meals.
“And having our free ambulance removed will be a problem. Other transport will be available but it will need to be organised on a daily basis.”
Cuts to luncheon clubs have ignited a war of words. The Labour-controlled council blames the Lib Dem-Conservative coalition government for forcing it to make cuts, while Islington’s Lib Dem opposition argues that the council could reduce spending elsewhere.
Lib Dem leader Councillor Terry Stacy said The Bridge was another example of the elderly bearing the brunt of wrong decisions by the council.
He called on the council to stop providing free school meals to all primary children. “It’s a crazy situation where we are giving free meals to bankers’ children but reducing the number of pensioner luncheon clubs,” he said.
“It’s a real slap in the face for voluntary groups and small community organisations who deliver much-needed and highly-thought-of luncheon club provision.
“There are plenty other areas to reduce spending. Closing Islington Life, the council’s propaganda magazine, could save money, or the number of senior managers on the council could be reduced.”
Labour adult social care chief Councillor Janet Burgess said: “Despite Islington’s community getting the biggest cuts in London from the Tory-Lib Dem government, we have managed to find money to keep our lunch clubs going.
“The contracts are being renewed, but if the Lib Dems want to help people on the Marquess then they should appeal to their own government to stop making these unfair cuts to our community.”
She added that no decisions had been made and the council was talking to everyone.