Work to reinstate Jobcentre has not stopped
The Town Council's Community Affairs Committee would like to
remind readers that its work to reinstate some kind of Jobcentre here, in
Monmouth has not stopped. We are mystified by the Web Poll in the Beacon last
week, which claims that 80% of voters say the present arrangement is ‘fine'.
Ever since the
closure of the Jobcentre we have collated and forwarded the complaints and anxieties
of jobseekers who find themselves compulsorily travelling to Abergavenny. We have achieved an agreement that Ross or
Coleford Jobcentres may be used instead,
but this, we understood, is not much of a concession as transport is still such
a problem.
If the Web Poll, is correct, we are amazed, as it runs
counter to what people tell us in person. Those frustrated jobseekers asking
for information via the phone in the One Stop Shop do not give the impression
of being satisfied with the arrangement. Neither do those trying to carry on
the normal work of the helpdesk in the same space.
The Petitions
Committee of the National Assembly has been persistent, on our behalf, in
trying to trace how Monmouth's portion of £1.7 billion has been spent. That was
the sum allocated by central government at UK Ministry of Work and Pensions last
spring, to alleviate unemployment. The result had been some fairly dismissive
letters from Jobcentreplus in Cardiff.
However, last November one of the management team from Jobcentreplus S.E. Wales
came to see the Monmouth phone in use and meet the One Stop Shop management
staff. Some useful discussions were had at last.
We continue to request a proper interview room staffed by
Jobcentreplus , even one day a week.
May we urge anyone who finds the survey does not tally with their own
experience, please phone the Town Clerk 01600 715662 or tell their Town
Councillor.
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