Council stays quiet on cuts speculation

Dudley Council has refused to confirm or deny rumours it is planning redundancies to teams in vital housing services.

Speculation is mounting that big changes are in the pipeline for the Housing Support Team including more than 30 redundancies, cutting on-site support for sheltered accommodation and the withdrawal of winter warmth support.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service put specific questions on these fears to the authority but received no detailed answers.

The only response so far on concerns about changes in the housing department came from Kathryn Jones, Dudley group director for housing and assets.

Ms Jones said: “The council is continually looking at how we can improve the delivery of housing services and ensure they meet the needs of our tenants.

“The wellbeing of our tenants, particularly those who rely on additional support will remain a key consideration in any decisions about how services are delivered.

“If any significant changes are proposed, we will ensure that affected tenants are informed and appropriately engaged.”

Liberal Democrat councillor Andrew Tromans is concerned about possible changes as the council prepares its budget for the next financial year and has put a question forward to the next full council meeting scheduled for Monday November 2.

Cllr Tromans said: “I have heard some very concerning reports from food bank volunteers and others at the front line of looking after the most vulnerable in our borough about brutal cuts to housing support, job losses, re-grading assisted living schemes and discontinuing winter warmth vouchers all appear to be on the table.

“This seems like trying to set a budget without proper scrutiny.”

Dudley currently published advice on its website and offers help with fuel debt, energy efficiency advice, advice switching energy tariffs and how to get grants for help with home insulation as well as crisis support.

For winter warmth advice from the council, people can call 01384 817086 or email WinterWarmth@dudley.gov.uk

By Martyn Smith | Local Democracy Reporting Service