First All-Scottish Conference of Anti-Bedroom Tax Groups: Demo called

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First All-Scottish Conference of Anti-Bedroom Tax Groups: Demo called

SCOTTISH FEDERATION AGAINST THE BEDROOM TAX ESTABLISHED

At the Woodside Hall in Glasgow today (Saturday 27th April 2013), over 250 people from across the length and breadth of Scotland gathered to establish a Scottish Federation to fight against the Bedroom Tax.

Delegates from local groups, from as far afield as Stranraer, Aberdeen, Fife, Dundee, Ayrshire and Edinburgh voted unanimously to adopt a Founding Statement (attached), which details the Aims, Goals & Objectives of the Federation, as well as establishing a democratic structure and Office Bearers for the new Scottish Steering Committee.

A wide array of speakers addressed the Conference, including trade unionists, community activists, legal minds and political party members.

Well known contributors as Sandra White MSP, Tommy Sheridan, Mary Lockhart, Dave Sherry (UNITE) and Tommy Gorman (Glasgow Disability Day Centres) all gave rousing speeches.

Garry Burns of the Govan Law Centre also gave some practical advice and updated the Conference on the latest legal situation.

There were also international speakers from the Republic of Ireland & Spain.

The newly elected Secretary, Luke Ivory said: "Today's event has been a huge success. We have managed to establish a Scotland wide, organised movement, that will campaign against the ConDem's outrageous Bedroom Tax.

"We now have a platform to support individuals who are subjected to this horrendous tax and will resist all attempts by any Council or Housing Association to evict any tennants"

The newly elected Vice Chair, Fiona Jordan said: "The Bedroom Tax is nothing more than an attack on the weakest & vulnerable people in our Communities.

"It is yet again the weakest in our society who are being robbed of their
already inadequate incomes, to pay for the bailing out of the banks and for tax breaks for the rich.

"This is entirely unacceptable in a civilised society and we're going to stand by a watch vulnerable people, many of whom are disabled, be threatened, bullied and victimised"

One of the first major decisions made by the Conference was to hold an All Scotland March & Rally in Glasgow on Saturday 1st June 2013. Already, the signs are that it will be a huge event.

Federation Aims

Support local communities to set up anti- bedroom tax meetings and form local anti-bedroom tax groups. Help coordinate local groups to form a strong and united fightback to stop evictions and scrap the bedroom tax.

Call on all local authorities, housing associations, and the Scottish and Westminster governments to support a no evictions policy and to scrap the bedroom tax.

Work closely with trade unions to stop evictions and scrap the bedroom tax and work with trade unions to help support workers affected by the bedroom tax and those who refuse to implement evictions or the bedroom tax.

Campaign for the writing off any debt incurred due to the bedroom tax and campaign to recover the shortfall for local authorities and housing associations from the Tory-led government at Westminster.

Support the building of new social housing to provide the homes people need.
Oppose all cuts and austerity measures. Oppose all attacks on the poor, unemployed, disabled, vulnerable and working class people including the so called "welfare reform bill".

Federation Framework

The All Scotland Anti Bedroom Tax Federation shall have the following officers; Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Press Officer which will be elected at the All Scotland Anti Bedroom Tax Conference on 27 April 2013.

The Chair convenes steering committee meetings and helps to implement aims, objectives, decisions and priorities as determined by the Federation steering committee.

The Vice Chair shares responsibilities and works closely together with the chair to help implement aims, objectives, decisions and priorities as determined by the Federation steering committee as well as standing in for the chair if/when they are not available.

The Secretary is responsible for organisational and administrative tasks required to implement the work of the Federation including, but not limited to, taking minutes of all meetings and circulating them to the steering committee.

The Treasurer will maintain a Federation bank account and careful records of all money received, expenses and money paid out.

The Press Officer will maintain and develop an extensive press list that can be used to help publicise the work, campaigns and events of the Federation and issue press releases developed in conjunction with and reviewed by all of the office bearers.

The All Scotland Anti Bedroom Tax Federation will have a steering committee made up of approximately 60 members elected from local campaigns across Scotland. There should be at least two members from each of the eight Scottish Parliamentary regions.

Representation on the steering committee should aim to be proportional to the number of local anti bedroom tax campaigns in each region.

Office bearers will be accountable to the All Scotland Anti Bedroom Tax Federation steering committee.

Steering committee members can represent the Federation in their local area/region.

Federation Objectives

To Launch a Scottish Federation.

Elect a Chair, Secretary and Treasurer for the All Scotland Anti Bedroom Tax Federation.

Develop strategy regarding evictions and bedroom tax debt

Develop leaflets and other campaign materials for Federation (including an appeal letter)

Organise and build for an all Scotland demonstration in Glasgow on 1st of June

Work with community law centres all across Scotland to set up public meetings and events where residents can receive advice regarding the bedroom tax.