Charity workers are preparing to protest against the “catastrophic” cuts which could be made by Aberdeen City Council today.
St Machar Parent Support Project is facing a £29,000 cut while Fairer Aberdeen could lose out on £538,000, and Shelter Scotland on £35,000.
Representatives from charities, the Aberdeen Trade Union and Aberdeen Social Care will congregate outside the townhouse at 1pm and will wait outside for a verdict on the authority’s budget debate.
Council officials are already preparing themselves for stormy scenes – with a sign erected within the chamber warning that placards, banners and loudhailers will not be allowed into the public gallery.
Jody Reid, of the St Machar Parent Support Project, warned the charity would be at risk of closure if the proposed cuts are approved.
The voluntary project is based on Powis Crescent, and provides information, advice, support and training to the parents of those children who attend school or live within the St Machar Academy’s catchment area.
Ms Reid, who has worked at the charity for 12 years, said: “The council is targeting areas with major deprivation by making these severe cuts.
“What they don’t seem to understand is that, in the long run, charities reduce costs, as people are helped into work and encouraged to give back to their own community as a result.
“We get the majority of our funding from the council and Fairer Aberdeen, which is facing nearly half a million in cuts, and we will either have to cut staff, or will face closure – its not looking good at all.”
Jonathan Aitken, chairman of the Aberdeen Community Council Forum ( ACCF) yesterday echoed Ms Reid’s warnings.
Citing Fairer Aberdeen, which supports the St Machar Parent Group, as an example, he said: “There should be continued investment and support to communities, community groups and community based activities.
“Particularly upon those in the most vulnerable circumstances and facing greatest inequality, leading not only to a directly detrimental impact on the people of the city, but will also lead to services becoming even more expensive in the future.”
The Fairer Aberdeen Fund, which totalled £1.6 million as of 2017/18, translated to more than 134,000 hours being put in by volunteers, with an additional 25,000 people taking part in the fund’s support projects.
In addition, £3 million of savings were created for those the fund assisted, and around a million free meals were distributed.
Mr Smith added: “I am confident that it is not only our duty but also very much within our power to develop a more sustainable, more equitable, fairer and more compassionate solution to the current funding crisis.”
