Since the launch of the Slough Economic Taskforce last month, Slough Borough Council has been working to pull together a comprehensive package of support for Slough residents and businesses who might be struggling in the current economic climate.
The Slough council has developed the ‘credit crunch 10 point plan’ to direct residents to a range of services which offer support and advice. These include services offered at the Thomas Gray Centre and through other information, advice and guidance providers in Slough town.
The 10 point plan covers the following areas:
* Advice and information on dedicated web pages for Slough residents and businesses
* A series of employment seminars and workshops to be launched in the New Year explaining the range of support available for those unemployed or those fearful of unemployment
* A series of seminars and workshops for small and medium sized businesses on how to survive the recession
* The development of a job matching services
* A leaflet providing information on the range of support available to residents and businesses
* Increased support proposed for Slough volunteering opportunities
* Increased resources being made available for advice services
* Paying small local businesses sooner
* Increasing advice and information for the homeless
* Increasing advice and information for Slough people who are in debt.
The Slough council wants to ensure if people are experiencing difficulties with paying bills and accessing employment that they don’t ignore the problem, as there is help available.
Log onto our dedicated credit crunch web pages to find out the range of support on offer.
As well as this, the council is helping small and medium sized businesses in the borough who provide services to the council by changing the terms of invoice payments to within 10 days. The council buys £45million of services per year from businesses with Slough based postcodes so it is important this business continues to thrive.
The council would also like to reassure Slough residents that the credit crunch will not affect its capital programme for improving buildings and facilities in the town, such as the Heart of Slough. In fact, this year has seen the biggest spend on improving the town’s assets than ever before.
Ruth Bagley, chief executive, Slough Borough Council, said: “The taskforce meets every month to discuss how we can help residents and businesses and identify any potential issues early.
“The 10 point plan is a comprehensive guide to accessing advice and guidance on employment issues, debt advice and what’s on offer from other organisations in the town.
“We also know that Christmas could be a difficult time for some of our residents and businesses, so there are a range of initiatives such as free parking in the council’s car parks during late night shopping nights, and the change in payment terms for our local suppliers.
Cllr Rob Anderson, leader of Slough Borough Council, said: “I would urge residents and businesses to log onto our new web pages to find out more about the services available to help you through the credit crunch.
“We continue to meet weekly as a group to pick up any new issues so we can respond quickly and effectively. We will post up any new information on the web pages as issues arise over the coming months.”
Slough Borough Council
