A LONG running charity could potentially close its doors after 30 years due to Coventry City Council’s decision to reduce funding.
Coventry Independent Advice Service will not be able to offer advice to the public after October 1 and may be forced to close – leading to the loss of 13 jobs and support to thousands of residents.
The charity offer free advice on welfare benefits, problem debt and social welfare matters – last year it helped residents secure over £3million in benefit entitlements and managed debt.
Alan Markey, CEO of CIAS said: “We help thousands of Coventry people in their own communities.
“People who are relying on food banks and community support and who don’t have easy access to other agencies.
“While we understand the council’s need to make difficult decisions, we believe this move overlooks the unique role CIAS plays in the community and the specific needs of those we serve.”
Alan said the council have awarded the contract benefits and debt advice to Citizens Advice at a reduced value.
“The cut comes at a time when demand for advice and support is rising steeply due to pressures from the ongoing cost of living crisis, moving people over to Universal Credit and the Winter Fuel Payment changes, to name but a few.”
Zainib Hussain, one of the charity’s trustees added: “We are deeply saddened by this decision.
“The council have ignored, or don’t care about, the lasting impact their decisions will have on the lives of local people.”
A Coventry City Council spokesperson, said: “When the Council set its budget in February this year, among its savings proposals was to reduce the funding available for grant funding advice services from £1million to £820k per annum.
“As a result, it has been working collaboratively with the advice sector to develop a new service delivery approach.
“Until now, the Council has funded three organisations to provide different types of information and advice services to residents on welfare benefits, debt and specialist legal advice.
“We want to continue to ensure residents have access to the advice they need at the right time, and to address any potential duplication – so these services are provided as efficiently as possible.
“That’s why the Council has recently completed a competitive grant application process to update the provision of welfare benefits, debt and specialist legal advice.
“The aim is to achieve a more integrated Coventry Advice Service with the successful partners working more closely with the Council.
“Grants have now been awarded to two voluntary sector organisations, Central England Law Centre and Coventry Citizens Advice for a period of two years and the Council is working with these organisations to finalise the necessary Grant Aid Agreements.
“The new approach will focus on: prevention and earlier identification of need; working to improve access and awareness of the advice available; and developing a consistent approach to how residents access the help they need.
“It also means that services are targetted towards meeting community need, co-locating and integrating teams together within local neighbourhoods.
“Regrettably, the Council will no longer provide funding to Coventry Independent Advice Service (CIAS) and their current grant will end on September 30.
“Coventry Independent Advice Service have provided excellent support to thousands of people over the years, and we will support them where we can in the future.”
