# Judge quashes £10 million of London funding cuts

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2011/01/31/judge-quashes-10m-london-funding-cuts/
- Published: 2011-01-31T20:53:19+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

A Judge has ruled that London Councils’ decision to cut £10 million of funding was
flawed and that three London charities have won the right to a judicial review. 
All the funding cut decisions for 200 plus projects were quashed, which would have
affected tens of thousands of Londoners.

Mr Justice Calvert-Smith ruled that London Councils’ consultation process was flawed
and that they had failed to meet their statutory equality duties. Furthermore the
three charities should also receive further funding beyond any fresh decision made
following the new process, in line with Compact principles.

London Councils must now re-run the process, this time with full equality impact
assessments.

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Every local authority in England has a Compact, which clearly sets out arrangements
for managing change. These include carrying out impact assessments, consulting with
groups and organisations, and giving at least three months notice to ending or changing
any funding.

Simon Blake, Chair of Compact Voice, welcomed the ruling, saying: “This ruling is
good news for service users and the voluntary and community organisations that work
hard to provide them with vital services. Our sector is facing massive cuts in-spite
of councils promising to prioritise front line services. Only by working together
with our sector can local and national authorities fully assess the impacts of proposed
cuts and set their budgets to the best interests of their communities and citizens.

“With major changes in relationships and funding across the country, more than ever
both parties need to know, and stick by, the ‘rules of the game’.”

www.compactvoice.org.uk