CALLINGTON Town Council is inviting the town’s ‘major stakeholders’ to discuss how welfare reform could affect the community and how to access potential European funding.

The council — in conjunction with the East Cornwall Citizens’ Advice Bureau Initiative, known as ECCABI — is inviting all of Callington’s businesses and the town’s ‘major stakeholders’ — including the police and others — to come forward and discuss a number of issues that could affect the town in the future.

One of the main areas of discussion will be welfare reform and how it will affect those living in East Cornwall. Other items on the agenda include the implications of universal credit, potential opportunities for South East Cornwall in the forthcoming European programme and assessing the future information needs of employers and employees in the area.

Helen Dowdall, Callington town clerk said: ‘We are concerned about the potential welfare reforms and universal credits. The last thing we want to do is scaremonger but we are concerned that the changes will put pressure on small businesses to keep employees on and also on people and families in the area. There could be potential knock-on effects such as an increase in crime. Things like domestic crime could rise because of the additional stresses people may be put under due to a change in their benefits and they receive less.

‘That is why we have included the police in our major stakeholders, because we want everyone’s input on these sorts of issues.’

Cllr Andrew Long said: ‘Welfare reforms could have a devastating effect on the working people of South East Cornwall as underneath the headlines the changes in the benefits system could lead to low paid workers finding themselves worse off and at risk of greater debt.

‘Universal Credit, whilst a good idea, has really serious implications as for example, any benefit of extra hours one week will be automatically removed by cuts in any benefits the low paid workers might receive.

‘European funding has been delayed by the inaction of central government and now, a year down the line, they are looking to put the spending power back in the hands of Cornwall Council and the Local Enterprise Partnership.

‘In the past South East Cornwall got a very poor deal in funding and it is important that businesses are set for this round as the focus will be on economic development, something very important to the businesses of our area.

‘The aim of the event is to give out information and ensure that, as best as possible, businesses are aware of their responsibilities on universal credit and ready to bid for funding from the latest round of European Funding.’

Gail Buttery, chair of the Callington Traders’ Association, said: ‘This sounds like a good idea to me and I have circulated the information to all our businesses so they can get involved.

‘I hope that the event being held to discuss these issues is well supported by the town’s businesses and we must take every opportunity we can to promote businesses and organisations in Callington.

‘If there is any help to be had that can aid South East Cornwall, I hope that Callington is at the front of the line.’

Callington Town Council will consider potentially setting up a working group after this meeting involving the town’s main stakeholders and members of the public to discuss what can be done together to benefit Callington and East Cornwall.

The council is holding a business breakfast tomorrow (Friday, September 25) in the town hall from 7.30am to 9am to discuss these issues and more. While the town’s businesses should have received invites, everyone is welcome to attend and share their thoughts on these issues.

If you would like to attend call 01579 343693 or e-mail [email protected] to RSVP.