A VOLUNTARY group has written to Basildon Council asking it to donate its savings from the recent strikes to community groups fighting poverty.

Basildon, Billericay and Wickford Council for Voluntary Service said it got the idea from a similar scheme in Newcastle, where it won the backing of the council and the money was used for community projects.

Chris Evans, the group’s chief officer, said: “The idea shows real leadership and a genuine concern for the people who are suffering most from the public spending cuts.

“Voluntary organisations across the country are struggling to maintain their services as their funding gets squeezed.”

When asked if he would consider donating the money, council leader Tony Ball, said: “We have received the letter. It is an interesting decision taken by Newcastle City Council following lobbying from the trade unions.”

It is not known how much the council saved on wages from the strikes last Wednesday.