growth in what we conding our grants policy, environmental improvements, major housing initiatives, that sort of thing.
Our budgetary process has now started. We have rate precept by 8 March "The recommendation from the Labour group leadership is that we campaign around our DUULCL - consulting Londoners about the two, ours budget 1ncluding the cuts.
that the GLC refuses to make cuts, by pursuing the tactic of not setting a rate.
There's almost certainthe Labour group for not but there's sclune aldic. only a majority of four in council chamber. It's difficult to say whether or not we'll have a full majority in council.
I have been recommending that if Labour councillors consider they can't support non-compilance they should stand down at this point in time to allow their constituency By John McDonnell, GLC finance chair It's being pursued now by a number of boroughs: Lambeth, Southwark, Greenwich, Harringay, Newham - the right wing group there supporting_ as Camden, Islington will. Now we need the GLC and ILEA to stand firm with the boroughs.
What would be best for the government is for the boroughs to be picked off one by one, and the GLC len un taer in tne year That's why we're recommending not setting a rate.
With deficit budget money until quite late in LIC vca so lie borolans could be picked off. Not setting a rate will bring us all together.
The only borough in London so far which hasn't decided not to set a rate is Hackney. They've gone for a deficit support in the parties.
The GLC has supported the setting up of the London, which we fund by seconding full-time workers to the campaign. nev ve linked up with a similarly supported campaign, London Bridge, which is the borough Haue unions They have a policy of non-compliance and suDPor the chic and tach, GLC and are calling on Labour councilors to resign ana allow themselves to be replaced if they don't support that.
We've called a London Assembly at the end of February which, after whole series of local meetings, will bring together all the community groups, trade unions people who represent Londoners — to endorse and support our policy. hopefully during the week budget there'll be demonstradustrial action we're asking for one-day This will culminate with taking a budget to council on 8 March. On that day we want people at County Hall their thousands in support of our policy and in opposition to the government attack of rate-capping.
Since 1981 London as a whole has lost £3½ million bloc The GLC alone lost £400 million. We are demanding part of that back, plus a rate reduction and a growth programme.
The vital thing now is CHOSES community activists to get invo ved in that campaien If we don't win on ratewill come to an end on 8 March. That's how critical it is.
The campaign against rate-capping is the same theme the miners' We're both seeking jobs and vices, and communities wole will go to the wall if rate capping goes through. It's exactly the same struggle.
We've got to make sure that that struggle is united similar time Because the failure of the TUC, it Strike could go on mil ese looks miners' spring.
We need to make sure that the two struggles coalesce. That will strengthen the GLC's arm and bring about a victory that will hasten the defea of this government.
Militant's attempt at reversing the JSSC's posi tion has failed, however. executive meeting decided that the motion was not a valid emergency.
That wa upheld by • general Pete Cresswell to re quests remain secretary.
local labour All this council District struggles arails!
The present disunity the Before the Sam posedly counter rassing'.
Stop The Lesbian and Gay Ban! Lobby Rugby Council!
Tuesday 8 January Assemble:
Rugby Town Hall, 6.30pm Don't be appearing for two weeks during the Christmas and New Year break. Our next issue, Order your copy now.
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