Council set to monitor impact of welfare reform

THE impact of welfare reform on areas of Ceredigion will be closely watched by the council.

Council leader Cllr Ellen ap Gwynn said that support and advice would be available for claimants from the Citizens Advice Bureau following the announcement of government funding.

A meeting is due to be held on this matter and Cllr Catrin Miles added that a group had been set up to look at the effects which was also due to meet soon.

Universal Credit’s introduction in the county was discussed at overview and scrutiny last month and the committee’s recommendations were heard at Ceredigion County Council’s cabinet on Tuesday.

Concerns were raised about the impact on residents in rural areas and in towns such as Llandysul, Tregaron and Lampeter, corporate resources overview and scrutiny committee chairman Cllr Ifan Davies said.

These towns were “under the cosh”, he told cabinet.

The digital online application service for Universal Credit raised concerns about those without internet access and the suitability of library online services for such business.

The scrutiny committee had recommended that a letter be sent to the local MP outlining “grave concerns” for rural towns without library and similar frontline services.