Calls grow to reopen services in Walsall

Independent councillor Pete Smith has tabled a motion to be heard later this month demanding a rethink of the closure of the First Stop Shop which has not been open since before lockdown.

Councillor Smith said residents, including many waiting to get £150 council tax rebate, had been complaining about not getting access to the help they needed.

He added while plans to utilise community hubs to fill the void had “potential”, they needed financial support to provide services.

Last month, a petition was launched calling for the reopening of the First Stop Shop to help people without internet access.

Walsall Council said it was investing to improve the website while advice and online access was also available at Walsall Library. They also said help would be rolled out to district libraries and community hubs.

Councillor Smith said: “The initial closure due to Covid was understandable but its continued closure is not.

“We have over 104,000 households in the borough of Walsall and it is unbelievable that there is not one single council office that is available for people to walk in, take their turn and be met with help, advice on whatever concerns them.

“These issues could be about council tax, benefits, blue badges, planning, homelessness, etc.

“[Thousands] of households in the borough still had not received their £150 council tax rebate. I was having complaints that people were ringing the council and getting no reply and going to the civic centre only to find it closed to the public.

“The council have now enlisted 11 volunteer community associations & Hubs to step in to help fill the void and assist those residents who cannot use a computer or internet to get their £150 but with very little financial support.

“Whilst the increasing reliance on local Community Hubs has great potential, this needs to be properly funded if they are to effectively replace the First Stop Shop, as such reliance is bringing on a great deal of extra work.

“I sincerely hope that the council can see the need, greater than ever given present economic climate, to provide facilities for the thousands of residents who need and require face to face help and advice, especially those who do not have, for whatever reason, access to a computer and the internet.

“Therefore I am calling on the council to put their weight behind a call to re-open the First Stop Shop with at least the same service level that prevailed before Covid, though welcoming also any proposals to involve the community hubs with properly funded service delivery.

“The present trend towards the digitalisation of public services is widening the disconnect between residents and “The System” as they see it and I fully agree and find this regrettable.”

A council spokesperson said: “To date, the council and its partners have helped over 85,410 households to receive the council Tax Energy Rebate and the council is well on track to meet the government deadline of September 30 in issuing all eligible payments.

“The sharp increase in the cost of living, coupled with the government announcing the Council Tax Energy Rebate scheme in the press, did lead to the council receiving unprecedented numbers of calls from local people, which did temporarily increase waiting times for call answering.

“To address this, the council quickly launched an on-line digital application process and a separate telephone helpline.

“Community hubs and library staff also rallied to help our most vulnerable residents, with 1,174 households of customers being supported via these important face to face routes to date.

“Approximately five per cent of customers applied for help via our telephone lines, with the vast majority applying for support via the digital form or receiving a direct payment.

“We are very grateful for the fantastic support received from our community partners, and we will continue to provide them with financial, and practical support, to help meet the needs of residents in our communities.”