Protest outside meeting as council decides fate of Plymouth Citybus
UNION members staged a protest outside the Council House this afternoon as city councillors arrived for a meeting at which they will decide whether to sell off Plymouth Citybus.
The city has been offered £20.2million by Go-Ahead for its 100 per cent shareholding in the bus company.
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By Graham Richardson
Mark Baskerville, the Citybus branch representative for Unite, told a group of about 30 placard-waving demonstrators: “The company is ours. It belongs to the people of Plymouth.”
Mr Baskerville said: “Once the ink is dry, unless there’s some sort of legal process that we can follow there won’t be anything we can do about the sale.”
But he warned that the ruling Conservatives that they would be punished at the ballot box next May.
Councillors were now meeting in the Council Chamber to vote on whether to sell the bus company.
Protestors fighting the sale of Plymouth Citybus made a stand with a protest led by a piper on Saturday.
Starting on the Hoe the colourful flag-waving procession made its way into the city centre.
More than 100 protestors joined the rally organised by the Unite union.
Councillor Tudor Evans, leader of the council's opposition Labour party, said: "The proposed sale is a scandal. This is the worst deal I have seen for the taxpayer in my 21 years on the council. There are no guarantees to keep routes beyond 2010 and there is a pall of unemployment hanging over Citybus."
Cllr Evans said he had looked at the paperwork and believed the figures "did not add up".
"They are underselling Citybus. It will ultimately cost the taxpayer.
"It is a rotten deal, it is a shameful deal and it is a Tory deal."
Cllr Eddie Rennie added: "I'm weary of what might happen. There are no guarantees over jobs. I also fear routes could be scrapped." Plymouth's two Labour MPs also spoke out against the sale, describing it as 'madness'.
Plymouth Sutton MP Linda Gilroy said: "It is madness. The Tories are listening to the information they want to hear and they are not applying any common sense.
"They are not getting value for money and they are destroying a unique recipe.
"Citybus is an asset to the city which has provided good value for money over the years.
"Councillors should be aware that the people of Plymouth have expressed their views in strength."
Plymouth Devonport MP Alison Seabeck, also at the protest, said: "The people of Plymouth need to know this deal does not stand up financially. The whole proposal is madness."
Unite, the UK's largest union, organised the rally fearing a sale could mean cuts in jobs and services.
Dave Springbett, protest organiser and Unite regional officer said: "What the city council is proposing is ridiculous. It makes no sense."
Mr Springbett said the strength of feeling among Plymothians was evident in the fact he and his colleagues collected 25,000 signatures on a petition opposing the proposals "without trying".
"They don't all come out singing and dancing but it doesn't mean that people don't care," he added.
Earlier this month Plymouth City Council's cabinet agreed to accept an offer for the authority's 100 per cent shareholding in Citybus.
The deal must be approved by the full council today for it to go forward.
Go-Ahead will pay £20.2million which, after adjustments for debt and other payments, would bring the amount the council receives down to £19.58million.
The Citybus name will stay, though Go-Ahead may change the livery.
Go-Ahead, one of five companies which submitted offers for Citybus, has agreed to maintain the school routes operated by Citybus for at least three years.
Other existing routes will be protected for at least six months with no changes. After that the council will be given 90 days notice of proposed changes.
There will be no compulsory redundancies for Citybus drivers for local bus services for the next 12 months.
On August 4 around 200 people braved the rain to voice their concerns over plans to sell off the publicly-owned company, dozens taking their protest into a full council meeting.
17 Comments
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by Tony Bradley, Coxside
Monday, November 30 2009, 9:08PM
“The Tory dogma "Private Good, Public Bad" says this sale MUST happen, regardless of the costs
to the people of Plymouth.
Those who voted for the Conservatives will come to rue the day they did so...
This farce is necessary to fund the Tories dream of a Central Park Life Centre. Only question is, how will the public be able to afford to get there, when paying the fares that WILL rocket in the future?”
by argyleultra, dERby
Monday, November 30 2009, 9:03PM
“how else is the council going to find the money for the world cup bid ?”
by Bus driver, Laira
Monday, November 30 2009, 9:01PM
“Now the council have sold city bus the £600,000 they get a year off us will be no more. So as for you who wanted to back the council (lord or nothing) you will be the first to back them when your council tax goes up to recoup there £600,000. Still happy with the sale???????”
by Hermes (and Thelemia), Plymouth
Monday, November 30 2009, 8:39PM
“Council are you deaf to my drum roll or were you just window shopping?
To where have you sold Plymouth's ships? Harbour?
A few years ago, there was a plan to progress the Council into open planned offices to prevent abuse behind closed-office walled doors; and at the time Councillors were asked to indicate any private allegences held, such as Freemasonary; many refused to acknowledge the question. In open democracy in England, Scotland, and Wales; personally, I'd visit their buildings and pray for their souls, then look to see these matters investigated in breadth by the up-most authority in Her Majesty's Government. A new dawn rings tomorrow in all faith in Plymouth's breath.
Isis A Golden Dawn”
by Hermes (and Thelemia), Plymouth
Monday, November 30 2009, 8:31PM
“Does this mean the Council will be looking forward to an increase in their shares then? No doubt the price will allow plenty to cover-up the million-or-so already greedily wasted by the Council. Will any of the raised money be re-invested in Plymouth? or has the 20 million be already marked for ego use? How will the Council recoup the half-a-million profit currently returned by Citybus? Seems likely the inheritance of Plymouth Brethren will be spent in a few years.
More importantly: can we now dread the expected sale of Bretonside bus station, strangely neglected over the past tens of years. Will this bring vast profit to the shareholders when sold for retail development in similar vain to the redevelopments at Sutton Harbourn and Drake's Mall?
The whole process smells of corruption, neopotism and explotation of Plymouth blood.
Resign, Council; we have called your worth into question:
Plymouth's Lady returned to shore
A wisdom well travelled; celebrated to all
An ocean crossed, sailing a company few
A smile given in freedom; grace blesses you.
Handed in child, though often in keep
Where hast be storest, stowed a review;
When eyes called to question of late did fate poor
Council: what sayest to child when knocks on your door?
"Where has the love that indeed I left to return in dew?"
"Council; do you breath the Plymouth Corporation Transport air I breathed in you?"
"Have you sold all our freedom given inheritence?"
Council your wisdom gone? Adieu...xxx”
by Mick, Barbican
Monday, November 30 2009, 8:04PM
“Quote- "Labour councillor Tudor Evans said The proposed sale is a scandal"
That settles it for me, if Evans is against the sale, I'm all FOR it..:)”
by Martin, Plymouth
Monday, November 30 2009, 7:54PM
“Sorry to say that according to BBC Devon the sale of Plymouth Citybus has been approved and will be completed tomorrow. Now we need to wait to see if this was a good idea or not.”
by the grim reaper, plymouth
Monday, November 30 2009, 7:41PM
“for thoses sanctimonious individuals who say SELL, you now have no reason to complain when traffic levels go up because routes are dropped and prices go up on the remaining routes, causing more congestion and thereby giving the politicans in this city the opportunity to put traffic congestion charges in place. This will cover the loss in income caused by the sale of Citybus and then gives them the chance to sit on the moral high ground. then there is the people beneath thoses who have transport, who can not afford their own transport, you know those people who do the menial jobs on minimum wage, but of course they do not matter to those who have their own transport. so live with the consequences”
by Lee, Plymouth
Monday, November 30 2009, 7:27PM
“Would any Conservative Councillor sell there profitable business or house in the middle of one of the deepest recessions since the war! I fear not.
Then why sell an asset that is both profitable and provides a long-term income at a time when only a few days ago they were bemoaning the fact they were unsure of their projected revenue streams and preparing us for a Council tax hike to cover expenditure for 2009/10.
What is harder to bear is the simple fact they took this decision in the midst of the recession causing those they purport to represent at least a 4 million pound loss?
I bet there was a 3 line whip on this one, meaning the decision was promulgated from the cabinet and the rest of the donkeys were told they had to nod the sale through.
It really is time Councillors were surcharged when they cause the electorate/taxpayers huge financial losses; only then would they be more thoughtful to the consequences of their decisions, like Tory Dame Porter who under sold Council Housing in the mid 80¿s¿.”
by Richard, Lipson
Monday, November 30 2009, 7:11PM
“How much is the Citybus Milehouse depot site worth on its own?”