Campaign launched against International Community Centre cuts

Nottinghamshire Save Our Services (Notts SOS) is calling on user groups at the International Community Centre (ICC) on Mansfield Road to rally round against proposed funding cuts.

The ICC is run by Nottinghamshire YMCA, but currently receives a £54,000 grant from Nottingham City Council.

In its budget for 2012-13, the council is proposing to cut this entirely.

The ICC provides meeting rooms, permanent office accommodation and shared resources for community organisations.

It supports around 114 organisations, hosting 4,500 learning sessions, and 75,000 visitors every year.

This cut will force up prices for using the ICC's facilities, making it difficult for some groups to continue meeting there.

Additionally, such a price increase will divert resources from activities in the communities where groups operate, instead being spent on room hire.

Notts SOS, who are among the groups who currently meet at the ICC, have distributed a letter to other user groups.

Notts SOS are urging opponents of the proposed cut to join them at their next meeting at 7.30pm on Monday 20th February, in order that a coordinated response can be planned.

Campaigners are also urging people to lobby Councillor Dave Liversidge, the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Sector and Tricia Gilby the city council's Service Manager for Voluntary Sector Sustainability.

Richard Buckwell from Notts SOS said, "We meet at the ICC so this is a cut which will affect us directly, but this is a facility used by a wide range of community groups.

"This is the reality of the Big Society David Cameron once claimed to be so passionate about, with cuts hitting the very groups which were supposed to take over from the public sector."

Notes for editors

1. Notts SOS was set up in the autumn of 2010 to campaign and oppose all cuts to services in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. We have been fighting council cuts on many levels since then, including organising a 1,200 strong march to the city centre in November 2010.

2. Notts SOS are also organising a broader campaign against the city council's budget. A number of stalls have been held in the Market Square and a petition is being collected calling on councillors to reject all the proposed cuts.

3. The council meets to agree its budget on Monday 5th March.

4. Councillor Dave Liversidge holds fortnightly surgeries at Loxley House, on Station St, on alternate Friday mornings from 9.30am to 12.15pm. To book an appointment you need to contact Phil Hearn at the city council on 0115 8762183 or email phil.hearn@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

5. Supporters of the campaign can also write to Tricia Gilby, Service Manager Voluntary Sector Sustainability, Communities Courtyard, Wollaton Road, Nottingham, NG8 2AD

6. Alternatively comments/views can be emailed to: Voluntary.sector@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

ENDS