The newly launched Money Goals Advice Service in Twerton, provided by Citizens Advice, could be at risk if the proposed redevelopment of Twerton Park doesn’t go ahead.
Photo © Barry Barnes / Shutterstock.com
The warning, from Bath City Football Club’s General Manager Carole Banwell, comes as demand for the advice service continues to grow.
Three weeks ago, Citizens Advice Bath and North East Somerset launched its new Money Goals Advice Service, providing free debt and benefits advice to the local community in Twerton, based at Bath City FC’s home ground.
On its first day, five people dropped in for advice.
The service is now proving so popular that every appointment for the next three weeks is booked up.
Individuals have turned to the service for support, as have local charities, including a charity dealing with domestic abuse, recognising the lifeline that the service can provide for their clients.
Clients can get expert advice on how to deal with household debts, like council tax, utilities and rent arrears, as well as guidance on benefits entitlement and more.
The service is currently available at Twerton Park every Thursday, between 9.30am and 2.30pm.
In demand though the service is, Citizens Advice is encouraging people with debt concerns to take the first step towards resolving these issues by getting in touch with them at the earliest opportunity.
They will get them booked in and start to help them get the answers they need to move forward.
There is potential for a permanent advice service to be offered if the proposed redevelopment of Twerton Park goes ahead.
Les Redwood, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Bath & North East Somerset said: “We are delighted with the rapid progress our Money Goals Advice Service is making in partnership with Bath City FC and Wessex Water.
“Our early successes are clearly showing that this service is much needed in this disadvantaged area of Bath and the service is already yielding great results from the help and support we’re providing to people in the area.
“There is still a long way to go, which is why we would like to see this partnership continuing and the possibility of establishing a permanent service, operating out of Bath City FC’s brand new stadium is of great interest to us.”
Carole Banwell, General Manager of Bath City Football Club said: “Bath City Football Club have been so pleased to provide the space for this much-needed service.
“Ultimately, we would like to offer CAB a permanent space here, however this would be dependent upon our Stadium redevelopment plans achieving permission.
“If our plans are not successful, we would have to reconsider our offer to CAB, which could deny access to this valuable service for the Twerton community.”
Council officers have advised those on the planning committee to refuse the regeneration application, when it meets on Wednesday 11th March.
