One Stop Costs For Voluntary Sector

The Borough's voluntary organisations should not lose out to cosmetic improvements to town hall buildings claim Borough Liberal Democrats.

On Monday the councils Grants Committee met to discuss the allocation of the £108,050 available to voluntary organisations this year. Money for the two organisations moving into the one stop shop has been guaranteed leaving the rest of the organisations a split of a reduced funding pot. Many voluntary organisations across the Borough face cuts of 50% this year whilst more money is pumped into unnecessary improvements at 7A St Pauls Square, home of the council's one stop shop. Local Lib Dems have criticised this move claiming much of the work carried out by voluntary bodies provides services which reduce the pressure on the council and subsequently reduce the burden on council tax payers.

Speaking after the meeting, Dave Hodgson, Lib Dem Community and Culture Spokes, said:

" We raised concerns when the one stop shop was set up that it would mean everybody who wasn't in 7A St Pauls Square would lose out. Now it looks like our predictions have come true. Whilst bodies like BREC, Bedford Community Rights Centre and Victim Support face a 50% cut in funding the council are spending an extra £86,000 on cosmetic improvements to the council owned one stop shop. This is ludicrous. Our voluntary sector organisations help many people across the Borough. They save the council money by providing services the council would have to provide if they weren't around.

The future for the one stop shop looks certain but the future for many in the voluntary sector looks far less predictable .The only organisations not to face a cut are the two that will move into council offices at 7A St Pauls Square. Whilst the councils plans extra work to develop this building many smaller organisations will have to look seriously as to whether they can continue to operate in the Borough."