Hit list councils counter Tory cuts

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(SHEFF ASHIRE REGIO, REPRESENTATIVES of local authorities threatened with enforced cuts in services met in TOWN HALL OOP CUTS WORK JENELON GANU-ASRS meeting took place outside the 'normal machinery' of the local authorities association was an indication of the breakdown of many years of consensus in local government.

This is despite the fact that many Tory authorities are clearly worried by the threat of their autonomy posed in government plans. Naturally they still support the economic and political imperatives which have brought these policies about.

However, the real opposition to the enforce cuts will only come from action in the Labour and trade union movement.

A number of speakers at the Sheffield conference emphasised the need for close cooperation in defence of jobs and services with local authority unions, and also with unions outside the public sector where members Sheffield hosted the anti-cuts conference and other services.

The general tone of the conference was quiet and undramatic, and there can be no doubt that many of those present would consider retreat long before any serious battle with the Tories.

However the meeting did take place, and thos present indicated that they did not accept the slashing of services and facilities at the behest of a government which had won little support in the urban areas they represent.

The necessary steps to campaigning had been made. The inaugural meeting of the Association of Local Authorities due on 5 July as we go to press, should provide a further step in efforts by elected representatives to provide a call to defend the services so painfully built up by the labour movement over the years.

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