TRAFFORD Council passed the 2017/18 budget at the town hall last night – and protestors were out in force to demonstrate their disdain at the cuts imposed.

Trade union members from Trafford, supported by local campaigners, held a lively protest at Trafford Town Hall on Wednesday February 22, as the council met to agree its 2017-18 budget.

With placards and slogans "Don't Slash Social Care", "No More Tory Cuts" and "Austerity Isn't Working" speakers from the NUT teachers' union, Unison, the GMB and Fire Brigades Union denounced the council's plans as “ideologically driven and short-term”.

The NUT drew particular attention to the national government plans to cut schools budgets that will mean Trafford's schools lose by £14 million next year.

Peter Middleman, regional secretary for the National Union of Teachers, said: "It is becoming glaringly obvious, even to the government's apologists, that our schools are facing a startling funding crisis.  Those in Trafford who hoped that the new National Funding Formula might redistribute resources their way should prepare for disappointment because when the whole cake is 8 per cent smaller, it doesn't matter how it's sliced up - everyone is worse off.  

"Trafford schools are set to become £14.6m a year poorer by 2019/20 - that's equivalent to £429 less for every pupil in the borough.  It will lead to fewer teachers and support staff and in turn larger class sizes.  Meanwhile, schools will be forced to reduce provision in Early Years, Special Educational Needs and buildings maintenance.

"Our generation is already set to allow our children to inherited fewer affordable homes, more precarious jobs and lower pay and pensions. It would be irresponsible of us to sacrifice their right to a decent education on the altar of austerity and we therefore have a duty to force the Chancellor to reconsider his budget proposals before his statement in the Commons on March 8."

Last month, cross-party support was given to a Labour motion calling on the government to urgently correct the “injustice” of its new national funding formula. 

Proposed withdrawal of school crossing patrols and fire service cuts were also high on campaigners’ agenda.

Labour Party and union members had delivered 20,000 leaflets in the borough detailing the planned cuts in the week before the protest.

Detailed coverage of the budget debate to come.