⚠️⚠️DCC CUTS TO VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS ⚠️⚠️

At the current time, our voluntary sector has been going above and beyond any reasonable expectation of what would be normal service.

They are providing a wide array of support from delivering food to providing companionship to folk self-isolating, stuck at home or missing many of the support services that would typically be in place.

Before the immediate start of the current situation, Derbyshire County Council started a ‘consultation’ to review the funding given to parts of the voluntary sector.

This review if carried out based on the information available so far, will see the funding available to the High Peak cut by almost half (44%).

Now while this is going on, you would think that like many of the funding bodies nationally, who are seeking to support the voluntary sector by rolling over funding and giving reassurance of support.

Instead just at the time when the community and DCC are relying more than ever on volunteers and these organisations to support people during the COVID-19 national crisis DCC instead are continuing with their consultation, splitting focus rather than providing reassurance at this busy time.

The consultation now has just THREE DAYS left for you to have your say on Conservative-run Derbyshire County Council’s cuts to the voluntary and community groups in the High Peak.

Given the pressure and stretch on the voluntary sector due to COVID-19 an extension was asked for by organisations across Derbyshire and called for in Labour-run High Peak Borough Council response. Still, DCC has perversely refused an extension saying that they “do not feel that it is appropriate”.

You can read the decision notice for the High Peak Borough Council response here: https://democracy.highpeak.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=295&MId=1642&Ver=4

This refusal comes at the same time as publicly thanking them for stepping up and going above and beyond, which is unbelievable.

The consultation ends THIS THURSDAY, to have your say, please complete it here:
https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/council/have-your-say/consultation-search/consultation-details/voluntary-and-community-sector-vcs-review-2020.aspx

DCC’s proposed cuts are an ill-timed, unnecessary distraction for our #VolunteerHeroes at this time.

In addition to responding to the consultation, please consider getting in touch with your local County Councillor and our MP to let them know what you think about how they are treating the High Peak’s #VolunteerHeroes.

If you’re not sure of who your local county councillor, you can use the writetothem.com website

#HighPeak #Community #Volunteer #Cuts