Local authority support

Have we any idea of the amount/value of local authority support among scrapstores? We in Reepham have had none for 4 years , and then it was only £3,000 a year between 3 authorities towards Re>Paint costs.

We were recently told there is a need for greater third sector involvement, but no money to go with it!!! Is this happening nationally? Is it realistic of Government to want something for nothing?

Jim
Mini-Scrapbox

Hi Jim
Here in Worcester we are not council funded. Guess in many ways this makes us less vulnerable than those who are, being as there have been mega cuts recently.
However, we do have our van on permanent loan from the council and they do also support us in a lot of their waste less/reuse advertisingcampaigns. We have also recently started selling compost bins for them. We only take a pound per bin, but we have had neew people visit and join as a consequence of this scheme.
Hard to put an exact financial value to that, but it is a bonus in many ways having this slightly limited relationship.
Cheers
Mrs G

I feel an urge to chip in to this discussion. I feel very strongly that supporting scrapstores is something that local Councils should see as very ordinary. Local Councils provide football pitches, allotments, and often swimming pools. Why not a scrapstore?
WRAP in Watford has always enjoyed a working relationship with our local authority. In fact, the Council has always supplied our warehouse but nothing more. Because we spend very little on staff salaries, we have been able to operate without prices on any scrap material. We do not own a cash register, and no volunteer has to feel as if they work in a shop.

I think for us in Bardford we have a bit of a different story to tell, Scrap Magic and our scrap play project is fully funded by our council through the community funding unit and this has been the case for 5 years.
Bradford Council have in part of their strategic plan for children and young people that there is a scrapstore to provide the district and this service they commission out to us. Fingers crossed we will survive the next year funding cuts but if its in their strategy then they will be wanting the provision to remain.
Claire

Mrs G

Sounds a good partnership,thanks for replying

Jim

Richard

What a luxury not to have to charge, and you've been doing it all for so long.Lang may your lum reek!

The value in having the warehouse free must be £10,000 or so at London prices

Cheers

Jim