Why public cash shouldn't fund Stroud's NHS celebration

But not all on Stroud Town Council supported the grant - three councillors feared they risked funding a political cause with public money.

They have written to us, outlining their position below:

Dear SNJ,

Costly Party?

As the three town councillors to whom your report refers we would like to explain our opposition to the proposal that Stroud Town Council grants £1,000 to Stroud Against the Cuts.

As a local authority the Town Council is obliged to make proper use of public funds. It also has to ensure that it, and groups that it assists, do not use public money for activities that appear to be biased for or against any particular political party.

It is clear from its material, and the recent direct action taken when the Health Secretary visited Stroud, that the event organiser could be seeking, or give an appearance of seeking, to influence public support either for or against a particular party.

The Town Council can’t take that stance or fund others who do so or give an appearance of doing so.

Let’s all join in and celebrate the proposed 70th birthday of our precious NHS which we all use and value. All the more reasons to put our hands in our own pockets for this celebration and not draw on public funds.

It would be ironic to spend £1,000 of public money in celebrating the NHS - with political messages thrown in, and in the name of fighting cuts, when £1,000 could get the NHS:

One full time nurse bursary, or

Three Cardiology Stents for heart attacks, or

40 breast biopsy kits for breast cancer operations.

Yes, let’s save the NHS!

We should pay for our own parties (both social and political), celebrate the NHS and use public funds for their proper purpose. We hope that the Town Council looks at this further.

John Bloxsom, Stroud Central (Labour)

Steve Dechan, Stroud Trinity (Liberal Democrat)

Haydn Sutton, Stroud Farmhill and Paganhill (Conservative)

Read the SNJ's original report on the NHS grant here: bit.ly/2x08mRZ