Camden Labour will decide on Wednesday (18 January) which advice organisations will be awarded contracts of up to seven years for providing advice and access to law services to people in Camden.

Despite facing cuts from the Tory/Lib Dem government of nearly £100m over three years, Camden’s Labour administration has chosen to continue to commit over £1m per year to advice services for the next seven years.

The length of the funding, subject to performance, will give organisations that provide advice and access to law to some of Camden’s most vulnerable residents peace of mind over long term funding. Although some cuts had to be made, the potential length of the contracts should make it easier for funded organisations to lever in funds from elsewhere because they will be able to demonstrate a long term commitment from Labour run Camden council.

Camden Labour’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Regeneration and Equalities, said, “While most of the organisations that we’re contracting with are facing a cut of some level, the long term nature of the proposals going to Wednesday’s cabinet will give peace of mind long term for the funding. This should help the organisations demonstrate to other funders that they have a long term future.

“Camden has a long tradition of providing higher levels of funding to advice providers that other boroughs. Despite the cuts, this will still be the case. Most of the funded organisations are getting more support from Camden council than comparable organisations in other boroughs do.

“The Government’s cut has meant it’s the worst time possible to cut advice services. Increasing unemployment, the rising cost of living and stagnant wages, drastic cuts to welfare benefits and continued extraordinary rises in private rented housing costs mean many many more people will require the help of advice services than ever before. Sadly we can’t continue funding these services at the same level, but Camden’s advice services will be some of the best funded in the country.

“I would strongly encourage anyone who is generous enough to think about making a charitable donation to consider donating to local advice services or other organisations listed on Camden Council’s donations page.”

Funding the organisations via a contracts rather than a grant funded system gives them a strong contractual obligation from the Council that is less vulnerable to future cuts from the Government. A further £50m of cuts is anticipated for the three years from 2014. But these new advice contracts span that funding round.

Local councillors and Labour activists in Kilburn, Swiss Cottage, West Hampstead and Fortune Green ward are campaigning for the creation of a new primary school in the area due to the unmet demand for places locally.

Kilburn councillor Mike Katz said, “There is real demand for primary school places west of the Finchley Road, so, my fellow Kilburn councillors and Labour activists in the area are supporting parents’ calls for this demand to be met, campaigning for a new primary school in NW6”.

The area is part of Camden where there is a shortage of primary school places. Estimates by the council also suggest that future housing developments in the area mean that demand on primary school places in the north-west of the borough is likely to remain high.

Labour councillor Mike Katz added, “This is something which the council has thought about, but we need to demonstrate that there is strong local support for a new primary school for the area. We’ve set up a petition, on- and off-line where local people can show their support for this call.  Please sign it, and encourage others to do the same”.

Today as Tory Mayor Boris Johnson announced yet more fare rises for Londoners across the capital’s transport system, Labour’s candidate for Mayor Ken Livingstone promised not only to halt these above inflation fare increases, but to cut fares this year if elected in May.

Labour’s Deputy Mayoral candidate Val Shawcross AM said, ”Our commitment to cut the fares will put the interests of Londoners back at the heart of transport policy. It’s unfair that the poorest are bearing the burden of Boris Johnson’s ‘high fare policy’, especially women and part time workers. It Is simply not acceptable that the Conservative Mayor is refusing to use TfL’s operating surplus to cut the fares in these tough times.”

Over 50 volunteers at underground, overground and rail stations across Camden were out this morning during rush hour to tell Londoners about Ken’s pledge on fares. From West Hampstead, Kilburn, Swiss Cottage to Camden Town and Holborn commuters were back to work todaty and facing massive fare increases due to the decisions taken by Tory Mayor Boris Johnson.

Ken Livingstone, Labour’s candidate said, “Boris Johnson has raised bus fares at a staggering rate over the last three years. This research shows that the level he has increased them by is unparalleled across England, hitting London bus users in the pocket. Londoners face a clear choice next year – more fare rises from Boris Johnson, or my Fare Deal plan. I’m pledging to cut the price of a bus ticket from £1.35 to £1.20, and cut all transport fares by 7%, leaving the average Londoner £1000 better off over the next four years.”

The choice for Londoners is clear, all Tory Mayor Boris is promising London is yet more above-inflation fare increases year after year if he is elected again. Labour’s Ken is the only candidate who would stand up for Londoners and help put money back in their pockets which will also give a much welcome boost to London’s economy.

Camden Labour has ensured that the Council’s carbon footprint was cut by nine per cent last year, a massive achievement in the current financial climate. Such a large reduction in emissions generated by the Council means it is leading the way in reducing its carbon footprint.

The average reduction of other councils nationally is just 7 per cent meaning Camden has far exceeded this level and it is a leading authority under the 10:10 campaign

Labour Councillor and Cabinet Member for Sustainability Sean Birch, said: “We’re proud to be one of the leading local authorities involved in this important stand against climate change. Ten per cent was a very tough target but we were determined to do all we could and to show the way for other organisations in Camden.”

Camden Labour takes the challenge of climate change extremely seriously and has committed to reducing emissions further still with a series of tough targets of a 21% reduction by March 2015 and 40% by March 2020.

The Council are already exploring a number of measures to help meet these targets such as using low emission vehicles, adapting buildings as well as being the first to own a bio-methane refuelling station in Europe with biogas available for council vehicles and public and commercial vehicles.