Economic downturn action plan begins to pay dividends

Highland councillors have commended their money advice and benefit maximisation teams for helping the public cope better with the effects of the recession.
 
In a report providing a commentary on the current economic situation and implementation of the Council’s Economic Downturn Action Plan, councillors were advised that over the first six months of this financial year, benefit maximisation staff were able to realise annual benefits to claimants of £785,000.
 
Over the same period, money advice officers dealt with a total of 405 cases, involving a total debt of more than £3 million, completing interviews with 95.5% of cases within 10 days.
 
Praise for the performance of the team was led by Councillor Janet Campbell, Inverness Central.
 
She said: “Our in-house teams are doing sterling work to help those who are suffering most from this terrible global recession. The team seeks out the elderly, frail and vulnerable, who need to be visited in their own homes and encourage them to apply for additional income that is rightfully theirs and talk them through the complexities of the claiming process.”
 
Councillors were told that the council continues to combat the impact of the downturn through a number of measures, including paying bills promptly; accelerating its affordable housing programme and its capital programme with £70 million earmarked to be spent on projects in this financial year as well as supporting individuals to find jobs and assisting new business start-ups.
 
Business Gateway, the national business advice service which operates in the Highlands and Islands, was successfully launched in April and has already dealt with 600 inquiries. 82 business start-ups have been assisted and 12 companies assisted with low cost financial support from the Highland Business Growth Fund, creating 66 new jobs.
 
The Masterplan for reviving the oil facility at Nigg, Easter Ross, and creating new business opportunities had been submitted to Scottish Ministers.
 
Councillor Ian Ross, Chairman of the Planning Environment and Development Committee said: “Helping individuals and businesses at this time remains a top priority for the council and we will continue to review our action plan in the light of public spending cuts and the consequent impacts on economic recovery.”