Council seeks to help locals beat the crunch

Rochdale Borough Council is urging local residents to make the most of the services and support available to help them cope with the current economic crisis.

Councillor Irene Davidson, deputy leader of the council, said: “We know that times are tough so we’re committed to helping people as much as we’re able to. Over the coming weeks we’ll be putting together a campaign to offer even more help than we’re already doing.”

There are lots of ways that the council is trying to help; proposals are to the Cabinet on Monday (24 November) that will mean us speeding up the time it takes us to process and pay invoices from our suppliers who are small or medium sized businesses. This will help with their cash flow and cut the wait for their money from 30 days to just 10 days.

Over the coming weeks, the council will be launching a ‘Beat the crunch’ campaign with lots of tips on surviving the credit crunch and being thrifty with your money. There will also be a four-page special pull-out in the December edition of the council magazine, Local Matters, with tips to help beat the crunch – plus money-saving vouchers to use in local shops, bars and restaurants.

Councillors and senior officers have already developed a number of plans, which will be finalised at a seminar early next month, to discuss how each council department can help residents beat the crunch. That could be by promoting services already available, offering new services or working more closely with public and private sector organisations to offer support and guidance to individuals and companies.

Councillor Davidson added: “There are already many services on offer that can provide support with employment and finance worries. You might also be entitled to benefits that you’re not claiming, so please contact us to find out about the help available. At this time of year especially, I feel it is important that your local council is here to help in whatever way we can to help you through the credit crunch.”

Here are a few ideas of where you can already go to get some help:

• Every Friday there are Citizens Advice sessions held at the Employment Links Centre on Drake Street, Rochdale. Help is free and covers advice on dealing with debt and claiming benefits. Employment Links also provides advice, assistance and training for those looking for jobs or having been made redundant. Employers can get free help with filling any vacancies and redundancy support. Phone 01706 646471 or call in for any of these services. 
• J21 in Rochdale can help any construction workers who find themselves being made redundant. Call 01706 646471 for advice and details of other job vacancies.
• The ‘At Work Community Employment’ also provides support to help you get training and find employment in Heywood. Phone 01706 621122. 
• If you are struggling to pay your rent or council tax, call the revenues and benefits team on 0845 121 2970. 
• For information and advice on mortgage or rent arrears phone 01706 764132. 
• Across the borough the council’s seven customer service centre’s can provide information about lots of council services including housing, benefits, childcare and council recruitment.

And of course don't forget the best to place to find a local job is the classifieds section of Rochdale Online. all council jobs are listed along with hundreds from local employers and agencies:

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/classifieds/jobs/