"Thanks for nothing" blasts Shopmobility

Campaigners for a regular (core) Shopmobility funding grant from the council are furious that their request has been turned down. And they warn that the independent charity's services may have to be cut further if it is to survive.

But Steve Waight, chairman of the council's overview and scrutiny committee, denied the door had been closed on further council funding for Shopmobility.

The current row blew up when the council's cabinet member for community development, Ann Barlow, decided not to provide core funding in the year 2005/06.

This decision was "called in" after protests by the charity's users, staff and the Liberal Democrat opposition. But Thursday's meeting of the overview and scrutiny committee confirmed Mrs Barlow's decision, despite receiving a petition of 600-plus signatures supporting core funding.

David Ward, Worthing Shopmobility chairman, told the Herald on Tuesday that he deplored the "cap in hand" practice of going to the council for a one-off grant.

"If you were to get even a 3,000/4,000 grant, you would be extremely lucky, and there is no guarantee you would get that every year.What we are after is a service level agreement, which normally runs for three years, such as that which applies to the Citizens Advice Bureau.But if we don't get this, then we will have to apply for one-off funding, but it is very disappointing. They just don't seem to care about the user group that we look after."

Shopmobility manager Belinda Milner told the Herald: "Our running costs are between 45,000 and 50,000 a year. Last year, we received from the council two small grants, of 2,000 and 3,500, the latter one because we were in dire financial straits.We have to apply each year for a West Sussex County Council transport grant of 1,900, and Adur Council gives us 400 because it realises some of its residents use these facilities."

Belinda said that Shopmobility had already had to close its Saturday service, and cuts would also have to be made during the week if a sufficient grant was not forthcoming.A cash shortage would also mean no treasurer, no business plan and not enough finances in the bank, she said: "We are doing everything in our power to make the scheme sustainable, but no there is not a Shopmobility scheme in the country which is self-sustainable."

Belinda added: "Worthing Shopmobility has added value to Worthing's local economy of almost 2 million in four years, equal to approximately half a million pounds per annum."

Mr Waight refuted the idea that Worthing Council would not give Shopmobility any further funding. He denied that the council's decision to refuse core funding had been made without full consideration, and said that it had fully considered its officers' reports. "Cabinet member Ann Barlow made it clear that the door is still open for Shopmobility to apply for one-off funding, but not through a service level agreement, which applies to larger recipients."