Unions have planned a public protest this week after a North East council decided to cut a £16,800 contract with an anti-racism charity.
Today, councillors at Northumberland County Council will discuss their decision not to renew the contract with Show Racism the Red Card, which provides workshops to about 25 schools in the area.
Local Labour councillor Liam Lavery launched a petition protesting the Conservative-run council’s decision when it was announced a month ago, which has gained more than 3,800 signatures.
Meanwhile, workers’ unions Unite and Unison, in cooperation with Northumberland Public Services Alliance, have organised a rally to take place on Wednesday outside the county hall.
The unions said that the charity’s services were needed due to rising levels of “intolerance and bigotry” in society.
Clare Williams, Unison regional secretary, said: “The decision to cut funding to an organisation fighting hatred and mistrust at a time of great division and anger in our communities caused by the uncertainty of Brexit is one that we find hard to believe.
“This is why we and our colleagues in Unite have joined with the Public Services Alliance in Northumberland to call on the elected members of Northumberland County Council to overturn a decision made by council officers, a decision we believe will have a negative impact on the lives of our members and their families living and working in Northumberland.”
A spokesperson for Unite said: “The work that Show racism the Red Card undertakes to tackle racism is more relevant than ever, due to the rising levels of intolerance and bigotry in society.
“It is for these reasons that it is imperative that Northumberland council reverses their misguided decision to cuts the organisations funding.”
Charity not involved in protest
The charity said it supports the public rally and the petition, but that it was not involved in setting either up.
Geb Grebby, chief executive of Show Racism the Red Card, told Civil Society News that while he hoped the council would reverse its decision, the charity would look to continue working the with the local authority in another capacity if not.
He said: “We understand why they made their decision to change the way they are funding organisations. But understanding is one thing and supporting is another.
“If members of the public want to support any process of asking the local representatives, councillors, to change the decision, we support that.”
Grebby said that the charity, which has an annual income of over £970,000 also runs national campaigns backed by central government, was appreciative of the support the council had given it since its launch in 1996.
“They are looking to fund some other work that we may be allowed to tender for where we have got a track record of doing it. The council are meeting on Monday to discuss the possibility of reversing the decision. We hope they do, but if they don’t it is not the end of our relationship at any rate.”
Council 'appalled' by campaign
Meanwhile, Northumberland County Council said its decision was in line with other councils in the region labelled the campaign “completely inappropriate and disproportionate”.
The council said schools in the area will be able to continue to book Show Racism the Red Card directly.
A spokesperson said: “We are appalled by the campaign that has been mounted against the council’s completely legitimate decision on this; a decision which is in the interests of all schools and students across Northumberland.
“We are clear that any form of prejudice or discrimination is unacceptable and we want to use our resources to ensure a broad range of support is available equally to all 165 of our schools – and not just the relatively small number reached previously by this work.
“Our decision is in line with that of a number of other councils in the region and this attack on Northumberland by those representing the charity is completely inappropriate and disproportionate.
“We are extremely disappointed that having met and spoken to representatives of Show Racism the Red Card on a number of occasions and explained the reasons behind the decision, this campaign continues.”
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