Council ‘taking action to tackle recession’

COUNCILS are not doing enough to prepare their communities for the fall-out from the recession, a local government watchdog has warned.

The Audit Commission said some local authorities in England are now facing a second wave of the downturn due to rising business failures, bankruptcies and unemployment.

Councils are seeing a rise in demand for benefits, welfare and debt counselling, while fly tipping, abandoned cars and stray dogs were also on the increase, according to the commission.

And under-pressure councils are also imposing recruitment freezes and redundancies to get their own costs down.

Oldham Council says it needs 488 redundancies in total this year, and 56 more next year.

But cabinet member Councillor Kay Knox said Oldham is definitely not complacent, and added: “The council and a range of partner organisations have already put a great deal of effort into doing what they can to support citizens.

“The credit crunch war cabinet was set up in February and brings together a wide range of public and private organisations, including Oldham Sixth Form College, Oldham Partnership, Greater Manchester Police, Groundwork, Jobcentre Plus, the Learning and Skills Council and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

“I am confident that the response in Oldham has been proactive from the start and the range of organisations involved means that there is the expertise available to manage most issues that come to light as a result of the recession.”

Initiatives include £400,000 for a rapid intervention fund, and £47,000 to Oldham’s Citizen’s Advice Bureau to help with rising demand for its services.

Last week the council became the first in the North-West to save a local family home from repossession using the Government’s Mortgage Rescue package.

A helpline (0800-954 2789) has been launched by First Choice Homes Oldham to support people suffering financial difficulties and threatened with losing their home.

For more information visit www.oldham.gov.uk/council/credit_crunch.htm or e-mail credit.crunch@oldham.gov.uk.