Wolverhampton charity cut 'based on wrong figures'

Last month Wolverhampton council's cabinet resources panel approved further funding cuts to city-based The Haven, which had already faced budget cuts earlier this year and will lose £175,000 from March. It will also have to re-tender for a £727,000 contract in December.

However, Popinder Kaur, The Haven's head of business development, said the figures the council based this 'critical decision' on are incorrect.

Reserves

A report to the panel says The Haven has reserves it can use to fill the funding gap, she said, adding: "It says we can use that unrestricted money to help us fill the gap, but we can't do that because that money is tied up in bricks and mortar.

"They haven't looked at the account notes – they have taken the figures off the annual report but they have not looked at the full set of accounts."

"We will be requesting to understand how they have made the decision they have made with incorrect information."

The 'unrestricted' funding is just over £1 million, which Mr Kaur said is tied up in their emergency refuges.

Ms Kaur said: "We don't want them to live in poor accommodation, they have to meet certain standards. We have spent time and investment – and grant and trust funding _ to bring those buildings to a really good standard so when women flee domestic violence they have some good accommodation to come to."

The Haven owns three properties, and manages another three on behalf of housing associations, which provide accommodation for up to 60 women and their children fleeing domestic abuse.

"Those buildings are valued, the funding isn't free, we don't want to sell the buildings," she said.

The contract expiring in 2016 had an option to extend for two years, she said, but did not have to go out to tender.

Ms Kaur said: "If they want to make further reductions why don't they just come and talk to us? It is about making sure we provide safe accommodation for those who need it, and it is not about us having to compete for that.

"With fierce competition we are fearful of the services becoming generic, and specialist gender-specific services being lost. We are seeing this happening across the UK."

Wolverhampton council spokesman Oliver Bhurrut said contracts of this nature had to must be tendered in line with EU procurement regulations.

: "Providing services to people at risk of domestic violence and abuse in Wolverhampton is a key priority for the council. Indeed, we already provide greater financial support for domestic violence services in the city than many other local authorities – and we intend to continue to do so.

"However, because of the financial challenge we are facing we have regretfully had to reduce funding for the service The Haven delivers.

"The Haven's housing support and social inclusion services £727,126 per year contract expires on December 7, 2016 and they are aware high value contracts of this nature must be tendered in line with EU procurement regulations.

"The council now acknowledges the majority of The Haven's current assets are tied up in bricks and mortar.

"We will continue to work proactively with them to help them secure funding and income from alternative sources."