Advice centre funding axed
A SERVICE for those in desperate need of employment advice and representation across Nuneaton and Bedworth will see its council funding axed.
This decision to cut £32,470, according to Warwickshire Employment Rights Service, was made without any consultation – in fact without any prior knowledge at all.
Mike Bannister from the not-for-profit organisation based in Abbey Street spoke frankly about the shock they felt when they heard of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council’s plans.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting where the budget, including planned cuts were discussed, he said:” I have come along today to say that the first we heard of these proposals was Monday of this week when someone alerted us to the cabinet papers of this meeting.
“We knew absolutely nothing of any proposal, there was absolutely no consultation, we haven’t been to any meetings, we have received no letters asking for information, in fact all of the normal procedures following the last 15 years with this local authority in relation to the grant to the voluntary sector, they have not been followed in this case.
“That is why I am here. We have been associate with the council since 1981 when we were the unemployed associate trades councils advice centre and we have been very grateful for that funding over the years.”
He explained: “Out of that funding we have been able to help very large numbers of people in Nuneaton and Bedworth with their employment problems, and these are very difficult problems, some are very difficult indeed, ,it is not a straight forward situation when dealing with someone’s employment issues. We have recovered every year £250,000 over the last eight years, we have met all of our SLA targets, we are exceptionally good value for money.
“We understand that you have financial problems, savings have to be made, but to arrive at a decision without consultation flies in the face of everything that this council says it does, and wants to achieve.”
He went on to quote the council’s very own constitution rulings about consultation.
“There is no commentary, not explanation, there is no transparency, I am asking the council to reconsider this, to reference it back and do it properly.”
Councillor Kris Wilson, leader of the opposing Conservatives at the Town Hall, condemned the council’s last minute decision.
“I do not agree at all with the advice rights cuts because the money that they actually put in is reinvested through the money that local people put into our economy through their jobs,” he said. Cllr Keith Kondakor added: “There are lots of smart people in this town, people like Advise Rights, if we had a proper democracy, had scrutiny, we may be able to reduce the impact of cuts, but the way you (the ruling Labour group) do them, in secret, in private meetings, and announce them in a few days’ notice is appalling.”
But Town Hall leader Cllr Dennis Harvey probed if the service receives any Warwickshire County Council funds and Mr Bannister said that they have joint contact which is administered by BRANCAB, which does receive cash from Shire Hall.
Cllr Harvey said: “If it is the Warwickshire Employment Rights, then it should be paid for by Warwickshire,” he said.
“We are funding outside bodies to a percentage far greater than other local authorities in this area.
“I hear that some of the funding comes from BRANCAB, well guess who pays a massive amount to BRANCAB? We do. So we are still funding BRANCAB, to a very large amount of money.”