Action group swings into action

A CREDIT Crunch action group has swung into action in Warrington – with the aim of helping local people and businesses get through the recession.
The group has been set up by the borough council and is made up of elected members, council officers, representatives of other government organisations and the housing and voluntary sectors.
It is meeting regularly to look at the implications of the economic situation for Warrington and work with partners to provide help and support for local businesses and residents.
Over the last couple of years Warrington has enjoyed employment rates above the national average and a higher number of job vacancies have been on offer compared to other parts of the North West.
But businesses are facing difficult conditions at the moment as consumers and many businesses spend less on goods and services.
The retail and financial services sectors have been hit particularly hard with ICT telecommunications, media and construction also having a tough time locally.
The current economic climate has made things more difficult and the council and its partners are working hard to help people cope with a whole range of issues including debt problems and fewer job vacancies, redundancy and unemployment.
The action group is looking at a number of ways to support local people and businesses throughout the current downturn, and also to ensure they are in a position to take advantage of any improvement in the economic climate when that occurs.
Several initiatives are planned and include:
*Payment terms: The group has agreed to improve the speed of payment of invoices owed by the council to business, with the intention of ensuring payment is made within an average of 10 days of the receipt of the invoice. Officers authorising payment of invoices have been requested to give priority to small to medium sized businesses and the voluntary sector.
*Benefit take-up: The group is looking at ways to improve joint working not just with council departments but outside organisations. An example of this is that social care charging staff, who currently work as a part of a joint team with pension service staff, are being trained to enable them to give energy advice to elderly and vulnerable clients.
*Council Tax benefit: Many older people do not realise that they are entitled to council tax benefit. The council will look at how the processes and publicity for claimants can be improved. A take-up campaign is planned for the near future to raise awareness of entitlements and how to submit claims.
*Free school meals: The group is planning a take-up campaign to raise awareness of the eligibility criteria for free school meals and to encourage parents to apply on behalf of their children if their circumstances have changed.
*Employment and skills: The council is working with partners on a range of activity to support businesses and people affected by the economic downturn. Support includes assistance for businesses to retain and train staff and incentives to take on unemployed people.
Ian Marks, leader of the council said: “The Credit Crunch Action Group is currently working on a range of information and advice, including developing a credit crunch website, to include important information and links to relevant sites to assist businesses and individuals to obtain help and assistance during the credit crunch.
“We are committed to providing practical support to local people and businesses during this difficult time.”