VOLUNTARY and community sector groups in Redditch are being invited to have their say about the support they need to continue to provide their services.
The consultation event at the Town Hall next Tuesday (October 26) is open to all VCS groups who may or may not have benefited from borough council support in the past, including grants, discounted rents and contracts.
The offer is a belated move to talk to groups in the local voluntary community sector after the borough council tried to push through the removal of all rent concessions for those charities occupying council properties – without any prior consultation.
It led to a public outcry from the nine organisations that would have been affected – groups all doing vital work in the community after local government and other statutory bodies had pulled back due to financial cuts.
Many of the VCS groups pointed out that removing the rent concession would force them to close or reduce their services, hitting hundreds of people and possibly causing countless problems in the future. As a result the council put the plans on hold so they could consult with the VCS.
The council’s head of housing and community services, Judith Willis, said: “We are reviewing the way the council provides grants and funding to the VCS.
“This event is a perfect opportunity for representatives to influence these potential new processes and let us know what is important to them.”
A questionnaire is also available for those not able to attend the consultation event.
Groups wanting to attend the event on Tuesday should meet at the Town Hall at 6pm.
If you want a copy of the questionnaire, or have questions about the event, email ann.dallison@bromsgroveand redditch.gov.uk or [email protected].
