District Council acts to help Dales residents in debt

29 June 2009

The Derbyshire Dales Debt Project is part of the District Council’s bid to fight the credit crunch.
 
The new service – based at the Citizens’ Advice Bureau in Bank Road, Matlock - will tackle issues such as concerns over mortgage repayments and will help residents with advice and guidance on money matters such as budgeting, savings, pensions and borrowing.
 
Derbyshire Dales District Council is funding the £125,000 project from additional Council Tax raised on 2nd homes to provide the free debt advice across the Dales for the next two years. Citizens’ Advice Bureau has won the contract to operate the service, which is headed by a full-time debt adviser offering advice on a range of issues relating to debt.
 
Derbyshire Dales District Council announced earlier this year that it would use its annual budget to tackle the economic downturn. With a series of new measures to help local residents and businesses, the District Council is focusing on helping the Dales make the best of the current economic situation.
 
District Council Leader, Councillor Lewis Rose OBE, said: “We are listening to what many residents and businesses are telling us about the challenges they are facing right now.
 
“With this in mind, in addition to the free debt advice service for residents, we are continuing to urge small businesses in particular to take the opportunity to tender for council services and also to check whether they qualify for rate relief.”
 
The District Council’s website (derbyshiredales.gov.uk) regularly updates lists of new contract opportunities and also has a downloadable claim form for rate relief.
 
Rate relief is available for small businesses, and those that qualify are entitled to a discount. Small business rate relief applies only to ratepayers who do not already receive either mandatory charity relief or rural rate relief (sometimes known as village shop relief).
 
The Derbyshire Dales Debt Project will assist Dales residents by drawing up debt management plans, referring cases to free or means-tested legal advice where needed, helping resolve secured and unsecured loans, negotiating with creditors and referring, where applicable, to other sources of help.
 
The Project’s money advice worker Gillian Webber (pictured), said: “We are delighted to have received this funding to enable us to offer the people of the Derbyshire Dales a comprehensive debt advice service.”
 
Councillor Rose added: “The credit crunch is having a marked impact on the local housing market and as a District Council we want to help people who may be affected by these difficult economic conditions.
 
“Debt can have a massive impact on householders when they are unable to pay rent or mortgages, leading to a very real fear of homelessness.  The Derbyshire Dales Debt Project has the potential to support a significant number of residents and tackle head-on an emerging problem.”
 
To help deal with tough trading conditions, the District Council is also urging companies to seek its help in finding premises and grants and has produced a guide for firms that wish to provide services called ‘How to do Business with Derbyshire Dales District Council’ – available as a free download from the Derbyshire Dales website.
 
Derbyshire Dales District Council already has a good track record of helping provide vital information to firms looking to expand or set up in the Dales, and, in the rural community, the District Council runs the Agricultural Business Centre in Bakewell – acknowledged as the hub of the Peak District economy. 
 
Councillor Rose said the Derbyshire Dales’ status as the cleanest and safest place in Derbyshire would help the district, adding: “As we step up our efforts to fight the economic downturn, a key part of our message to local traders and shoppers is that by keeping Derbyshire Dales clean, green and safe we are making it as attractive as possible for investment, tourism and trade.”