Closure is not an end to help

WOKINGHAM residents have been told they should not fear a reduction in help when the One Front Door advice service closes later this year.

The One Front Door service, which is operated by Citizens’ Advice Wokingham, is set to end this summer.

At last week’s full council meeting, Cllr Laura Blumenthal raised the issue with Cllr

Rachel Bishop-Firth, executive member for equalities, inclusion and fighting poverty the following question:

She said: “There is anxiety among about the plan to stop funding the One Front Door service this summer.

“The funding pays for Citizens Advice staff and services to help residents who find themselves in financial difficulty.

“The service costs £90,000 a year to run, and the Council ring fenced £250,000 a year ago to support financial hardship projects, of which not a penny is planned to help continue One Front Door.

“With the administration not supporting this service, who will be helping these struggling residents?”

Cllr Bishop-Firth said: “Wokingham Borough Council is absolutely committed to ensuring our residents have sources of help and support.

“Citizens’ Advice will continue to be an important part of this. We are still providing funding for the core service so they can support residents on issues, including benefits, debt, employment, and housing, as well as family and legal issues.

“One Front Door was set up to provide a triage service to deal with a huge additional surge of calls for help during the Covid pandemic.

“It has provided a valuable service for residents.

“This executive will continue to support the citizens’ advice service, will provide other sources of help and advice for our residents, and we work to fight the root causes of poverty.”

She added that One Front Door was funded by central government grants, which the Conservative government has ended.

“As a financially responsible executive, we have to move forward with sustainable ways to help residents.”

She added that the council is working with Citizens’ Advice, and with other members of the voluntary community sector, to achieve this.

“This includes improving our processes for signposting referrals, and a partnership with the credit union to support residents with finances.

“I need to stress that Citizens’ Advice work is not stopping. What will be ending in the summer is the temporary, triage service.”