THE “credit crunch” has led to a big increase in the number of free school meals at Warrington – and a surge in the uptake of concessionary bus travel.
In addition, there has been a rise in the number of claims for council tax and housing benefit.
The borough council has set up a Credit Crunch Task Group and a report on its work will be going to the next meeting
of the council’s executive board.
Council leader Ian Marks said the emphasis of the task group’s work was “action rather than talk.”
He said: This group is an excellent example of working together by members from all parties, officers from all the Directorates and representatives from the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and Golden Gates Housing and, hopefully, Job Centre Plus in the future.”
Coun Marks said details of the group’s work would be in the report to the executive board.
But topics covered included terms for payment of invoices, benefit take-up, council tax benefit, free school meals, tax credits, childcare businesses, community groups working with disadvantaged communities, payment of business rates and council tax, advice and information, loan sharks, employment and skills, affordable housing, mortgage rescue, homelessness, handy person schemes and finally monitoring the impact on the council.
Coun Marks added: “It is important to remember that the council as a business is being affected too
“Free school meals are up, there has been a surge in the uptake of free concessionary travel and increased claims for council tax and housing benefits.
“On the other side there has been a loss of income from treasury management activities, from land charges, parking fees and a loss or deferral of Section 106 payments from developers.”
The next meeting of the executive board in on March 9.
