Council spending money in wrong areas

[ariane5]

My LA has just withdrawn funding for both CAB (face to face meetings) and home start.

I do not understand how they could do this to two very important services especially as ALL council properties in the area have had/are about to have new windows and front+back doors fitted (mine included). I actually phoned them when I got the letter and asked why I needed new windows as there was nothing wrong with the ones we had and I was told they were updating all their housing stock and it wasn't a choice.

I know it is different departments but its still the same council and it seems wrong they can 'waste' money on windows/doors but then cut services that are so important to people.Last year they also reduced the number of taxicard trips per person too which seemed very unfair.

AIBU to think they are spending money on unnecessary things and then sacrificing important services?

[ParsingFancy]

But that's OK, ariane, Tory MP Damian Collins says the new benefits system will be so spiffing people won't need advice.

[cozietoesie]

Capital funds (eg big projects) and Revenue funds (eg ongoing running costs), ariane. You can't (with some limited exceptions which likely don't apply here) use one type of funds on the other type of expenditure

[ParsingFancy]

And actually I believe that area has already stopped giving any benefits advice. Just in time for the all the benefits changes being brought in on iiuc 1 April.

Legal aid for benefits cases will be going too. Seems like the govt kept losing...

[cozietoesie]

PS - they're also likely getting rid of capital funds before the financial year end (the housing expenditure) so that it doesn't go back to the Treasury.

[ariane5]

Thanks cozietoesie- I understand a bit better now.

Still seems ridiculous to me that all the council houses have brand new windows and doors (that we didn't need-the old ones were fine!) And yet so many people will now suffer because the council are withdrawing funding for services that really made a difference to peoples lives