Councils 'Cash Wide reduction project' "could impact vulnerable users" report claims....

Proposals for Hartlepool Borough Council to effectively 'go cashless'... could impact on vulnerable users report claims....

2nd December 2024

Proposals as part of a raft of savings measures by a supposedly 'cash strapped' council could see the closure of its cash desk in the councils Civic Centre, which reports say could negatively impact on vulnerable users.

A council wide "cash reduction" and Treasury Management maximisation project, promoting online payments and alternative payment methods such as Direct Debits is said to be underway, as Hartlepool Borough Council looks to make departmental savings to stave off ever increasing budget deficits. According to the report HBC Exposed has seen, Specific actions will include the review of a dedicated cash counter, currently located inside the towns civic centre (but still allowing for smaller sums to be paid at customer services desks), with the potential reduction, or even elimination of physical 'petty cash' across the council, as well as the consideration of using pre-loaded cash cards for vulnerable clients.

But the moves likely to come with significant concerns from disability campaigners, some of which have already raised concerns about the local council, which in 2023 was declared an authority of no public confidence effectively 'going cashless'...with even the councils own report admitting that The review of the dedicated cash counter at the Civic Centre, (including its potential closure) may impact on individuals with disabilities and those in poverty.

Hartlepool Borough Council However believes that the risks can be 'mitigated', with the council allowing individuals who currently access cash from the Civic Centre to be moved across to

pre-payment cards, which mean they will no longer need to attend the civic centre;

The report says that individuals who pay by cash in the Civic for things such as council tax bills will

be able to use paypoint locations closer to where they live to make their payments saving them time and the cost of getting to the Civic Centre.

Customers would also be encouraged to pay online or by direct debit, however some

cash payments would still be able to be taken over the customer service

counters in the Civic for those who are unable to do so.

The plans come as part of a raft of savings measures as the council reportedly attempts to stave off a budget catastrophe after projections reveal the councils racking up a three year budget deficit of between £10.0 & £13.0 million pounds.