Campaign for a Doncaster Day
MAYOR Peter Davies has moved forward on his plans to slash the support Doncaster Council gives to "politically correct" events.
Peter Davies, who said he wanted to address what he saw as excessive political correctness when he was elected, has now formally proposed to cut funding and staffing for days including Black History Month, Human Rights Day, International Women's Day and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Month.
He is putting forward a Doncaster Day instead, and has also suggested more celebrations to mark including St George's Day, Armed Forces Day, Armistice Day, Remembrance Sunday.
His proposals go before councillors on Monday. Council documents say organisations are being consulted on the plans as part of an equality assessment.
Mr Davies drafted in husband-and-wife duo Laura and John Midgley, from the Campaign Against Political Correctness, to run a fine toothcomb through the council and see what they thought could be ditched.
He has declined to discuss the proposals until councillors have debated them.
But he has previously described political correctness as a drain on public expenditure and said it was completely unnecessary and universally unpopular.
Minority groups fear their causes will be overlooked without council support.
Jenny Dewsnap, vice chair of Doncaster's Gay Pride committee, which will benefit from council staffing but no funding under the proposals, said that, although she recognised council funding was limited, she was concerned smaller organisations would be neglected.
She said: "I think the trend is worrying that there are groups that will no longer be supported.
"Some of these groups are smaller groups that really do need the support and it is always difficult for people to find the time or the money to make things happen themselves.
"The mayor is one man with his own views."
What do you think? Add your comment below.
Don't miss our daily pull-outs - only in the The Star: Monday Star Sport, Tuesday Class Act; Wednesday Business; Thursday Grassroots; Friday Time Out; Saturday Retro. Subscribe to The Star - CLICK HERE
READ MORE
Join the Star reader panel
Main news index
Your letters
Features
South Yorkshire's environmental news
Kids Zone
More business news
More Rotherham news
More Doncaster news
More Barnsley news
Latest sport
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy snow
Temperature: -2 C to -0 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: West
