West Sussex councils band together to help businesses through credit crunch
LOCAL authorities are combining to help West Sussex businesses and communities through the recession.
The county council is leading an initiative with district and borough councils to produce a package of measures to beat the credit crunch, including a pledge to keep council tax as low as possible.
Key initiatives in the Joint Local Authority Action Plan, announced by county council leader Henry Smith, are:
Cutting the time to pay invoices from small and medium-sized businesses to improve cash flow and keep them solvent
Giving 100,000 worth of additional financial support to Citizens Advice Bureaux to help people who need debt counselling
Signposting how residents can claim any benefits to which they are entitled
Publicising support services for businesses, including flagging up opportunities to tender for local authority contracts
Collaborating with Jobcentre Plus to match-up companies forced to downsize with those seeking new employees
Supporting the West Sussex Credit Union and Community Banking Partnership to focus resources on individuals most in need
Working closely with employers to continue to improve the skill levels and employability of young people.
Mr Smith said: "It is vitally important that people know where to go for help.
"For example, the crisis package explains how to contact a Fuel Poverty Adviser to help stay warm without spending a fortune.
"It also provides support for vulnerable individuals like those experiencing domestic violence, mental health problems or other disabilities that prevent them finding work."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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