Access to Services funding under threat
VSA Herefordshire Access to Services Representative Tom Blumer reports:
We have it, albeit verbally, that the intention of Advantage West Midlands in principle, is to discontinue Regional Access to Services funding, including Wheels to Work, with effect from 31/03/2009.
This despite assurances earlier in the year that RASP funding would continue on a “more of the same” basis for one year to allow AWM to put in place a new funding structure around the Market Towns Programme and further, that Regional Wheels to Work Funding would be treated as a priority and “ringfenced”
Whilst nothing has been confirmed in writing yet, we are expecting a decision on or around the 21st April.
Representations have been made to AWM and Government at Senior level via the County Strategic Partnerships, particularly in respect of the six Regional Wheels to Work schemes which produce robust economic ouputs to support the objectives of AWM and will be needed more than ever in these times of economic adversity.
We hope that the reprresentations will be taken on board and that the Access to Services work can continue.
