COUNCIL DENIES DIVERTING WNF FUND

31-03-2010

Contrary to speculation on The Stirrer, Birmingham City Council has denied diverting government cash from the Working Neighbourhood Fund to Social Services projects.

Opposition Labour leader Sir Albert Bore raised the issue at Monday's Cabinet meeting when he enquired about funding for a project aimed at tackling vulnerable young people.

Although Cllr Bore supported the scheme, he feared that WNF monies were being used to cover cuts elsewhere in the budget - and when asked the question, he received an ambiguous answer.

Now the Council has come back with a much clearer statement saying that efficiency savings of £6.068m from the Children, Young People and Families budget "does not include Working Neighbourhoods Fund monies".

And they add that the £2m project Cllr Bore asked about, will "help reduce child poverty as well as strengthening parenting and family support services for young people. This funding was not part of the £6.068m [efficiency savings].

"This is a new project, funded by this approved allocation of Working Neighbourhood Fund monies."

Cllr Bore commented, "I wasn't making an accusation, just asking a question.  Why couldn't they have just said this at the time?

"I asked both [Cabinet Officer] Les Lawrence and [senior officer] Paul Dransfield and I didn't get a straight answer."

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