Citizens Advice Havering (CAH) has launched a campaign challenging the council’s proposal to withdraw its funding as part of its 2023/24 budget consultation.
The consultation was launched on October 14 as Havering Council looks to make £70 million in savings over the next four years.
Various proposals for cuts were included within the consultation, including reducing grounds maintenance and ending the community toilet scheme, as well as the removal of the CAH's £129,000 grant.
A Havering Council spokesperson said pressures, such as a reduction in government funding and a rising demand for statutory adult and children social care services, have forced it to review “every part of the council”.
“This means change or stopping lots of really good work which in an ideal world, we’d want to continue,” they added.
The CAH has now launched a campaign opposing the move, and is encouraging those who have used the service to provide feedback to the consultation.
Sue Dix, chair of CAH, said. “We truly value our partnership with LB Havering and have worked closely with the council since we were founded in 1939.
“We understand the pressure they are under but believe this proposal is a mistake.
“If implemented, our services may need to close, robbing Havering’s residents of their main advice provider.
“We fear our most vulnerable people will be left with nowhere to turn.”
Sheila Clarke, treasurer of CAH, added: “We think the council’s proposals are short-sighted and will not deliver the savings that are hoped for.
“Many of our clients turn their lives around following the advice they get from us.
“During the last financial year alone, this created £1,442,496 in fiscal benefit, £10,245,737 in public value and £5,512,149 worth of financial outcomes for our clients. All for just £129,000 investment from LB Havering.
“Cutting our advice provision will cost the council much more in the long run.”
Cost-saving measures deployed by the council so far have included removing the one-hour free on-street parking period introduced during the Covid pandemic, and leaving the borough’s parks unlocked overnight.
Leader of Havering Council, Cllr Ray Morgon, has described the current situation as “the most difficult position that we’ve ever been in”.
On the proposed cuts, the Havering Council spokesperson said: "We will continue to press the case that Havering needs a fairer deal from government, but unless and until that happens, we will need to make difficult decisions as by law we have to set a balanced budget."
Residents have until December 30 to fill out the consultation.
To view the online survey and a full list of consultation events, visit: https://consultation.havering.gov.uk/corporate/budget-2023/
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