Notts: Council responds to charity’s budget criticism

The council recently announced a series of cuts that will help them save £154m over the next three years.

The county cuts are necessary after the council’s funding from Central Government was cut.

However, the announcements were met with anger by Andrew Redfern, chief executive of the charity Framework, who said: “Once again the council seems to be targeting its cuts on those who can least afford to bear them.”

Mr Redfern also said he was ‘shocked and dismayed’ by proposals that could see his charity lose £3.5 million a year in funding and that he wanted an urgent meeting with the council leader.

In response, Coun Muriel Weisz, chairman of the council’s adult social care and health committee, who said: “We are facing our toughest budget challenge yet due to significant Government funding cuts and increasing demand for services.”

“I’m greatly troubled that we are in a position where we are proposing to reduce our Supporting People budget which could mean a reduction in funding for a number of local homeless services.”

“In these difficult times we have to meet our statutory commitments and the saving will be used to help address the increased demand for crucial adult and children’s social care services in the county.”

“We are taking a comprehensive look at other funding streams with a view to sustaining some of the homelessness services across Nottinghamshire.”

“The remaining budget will be targeted at short term prevention and early intervention services focussing on mental health and wellbeing, domestic violence, older people and vulnerable young adults including those with a physical disability.”

“I welcome the opportunity to meet with Framework’s chief executive to explore how we can together make the best of our funding.”