I work for Plumstead Law Centre. We do now have a qualified solicitor who is an immigration caseworker and fully accredited- our bid included a commitment to staff this post with the money available from Greenwich Council, should we be successful in our bid, and the worker has been in post from 3rd October. However the post is only 2 days a week as this is all that the funding allows - for a large Borough with a large BME population. The reality is that the Council's "modular" approach to inviting bids in particular areas of law , for the whole of the Borough,would always mean that both Law Centres were in direct competition in the areas of immigration, employment and welfare benefits, which only the Law Centres specialise in. If Greenwich Law Centre had been successful in thier bids then it would have been us posting on this board as we would probably had to close without securing all the funding available in these areas. However, even though we have been successful in our bids, our funding now is just over half of what it was this time last year. Meanwhile The CAB has had a slight increase in their funding reflecting the Councils shift in their mix of generalist/ specialist funding. Also all not for profit advice organisations were subject to a 37% cut in funding from April (before the new bid process) when other neighbouring Boroughs such as Lewisham made no cuts at all. We know most of the workers at Greenwich Law Centre personally, having worked together for the betterment of Greenwich residents for many years. The loss of their skills and commitment to the work is extremely saddening. The potential loss of the service is a huge blow to the residents of the Borough - I suppose Greenwich was fortunate to have two Law Centres when many areas have none, but neither Law Centre was short of work. We hope they survive, somehow.
Post by Colin Henderson on Oct 20, 2011 21:02:14 GMT
Thanks to both of you for putting both sides. What councils like Greenwich never understand is that of course we're all on the same side; there has always been enough work for ALL of us.
Hearing from those of you on the front line is exactly what we here are for. Please keep us all posted on any developments.
Article on Greenwich Law Centre's judicial review. The Sumption presumption may not support judicial review, but it may be the only way to get what's right.
"Greenwich Community Law Centre takes funding cut battle to High Court 3:44pm Monday 14th November 2011
By Mark Chandler A LAW centre facing closure after its council funding was axed is taking its fight to the High Court.
Greenwich Community Law Centre lost its £196,000 Greenwich Council funding in September as part of a cost-cutting measure and has warned it may now have to shut.
But its legal team have now lodged judicial review proceedings against the council in a bid to keep the service running.
Its supporters say the centre, based in Trafalgar Road, is the only one in the borough offering advice on immigration law and shutting down will deprive the west of the borough.
But Greenwich Council says other centres will be able to provide the service instead.
An online petition against the cut at ipetitions.com/petition/greenwichlawcentre has 319 signatures so far."
Post by greenwichlawctr on Nov 17, 2011 17:27:50 GMT
Thanks for the updates. apologies for being quiet of late, but we will endeavour to let you know the outcome of our interim hearing, which is tomorrow at 10.30, Court 37, Royal Courts of Justice, as soon as we can.
Post by greenwichlawctr on Nov 18, 2011 20:13:54 GMT
We are back from court. The outcome is that before Christmas there will be a judicial review of the council's decision. Many thanks to all those who have helped and supported us.
Post by Colin Henderson on Nov 28, 2011 15:30:16 GMT
From GLC today with dates for their JR:
"Our Judicial Review of Greenwich Council’s decision to withdraw funding will be heard in the High Court on Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th December from 10.30 a.m. Please come along to support us if you can."
