COUNCILLORS have agreed to help people looking for new employment by offering financial support to the Department for Work and Pensions.

The closure of the Swallowfield factory in Wellington was confirmed earlier this month with the loss of 250 jobs.

The DWP’s Jobcentre Plus operates an outreach service at Wellington Town Council’s Kings Arms Community Hub on a fortnightly basis and could find itself busier than normal in the weeks ahead following on the from the Swallowfield job losses.

Members of the town council’s community committee met on January 19 and were asked if the authority should subsidise the DWP’s room hire charge at the King Arms to the tune of £1,400 per year.

Councillors were initially against the idea of financially supporting a government-backed organisation, but then re-evaluated their thoughts when taking into consideration the Swallowfield factory closure.

Cllr Mark Lithgow said: “I am not supportive of this. If the DWP want to use the facilities they can pay for it. I’m not against the service being provided, but I’m not in support of the DWP using the community hub for free.”

The mayor, Cllr Janet Lloyd, said: “Why should we be subsidising the government? They closed the Job Centre in Wellington – not us.”

But Cllr Justin Cole said he wanted to “pick up the other side of the argument” about the DWP.

“The community hub is here for the benefit of people and not for the benefit of the organisations that want to use it,” he said. “And with what is going on at Swallowfield, it would not be good if we did not support this. There are reasons why I wouldn’t support this, but with the presentation situation we find ourselves in, I think we’ve got to support it.”

Committee chairman Cllr Catherine Govier-Wiggins said: “The DWP does actually help some people in our community and I don’t think us providing this space for them at the Kings Arms is a bad thing.

“The community hub is there for all members of the community especially the vulnerable.”

Cllr Andrew Govier said: “If this could help one or two people finding a job, it would be worth it and money well spent.”

But Cllr Lithgow said: “I would be supportive of this if I knew they were getting people back into work, but I don’t know if they are.”

The council’s community development officer, Laura Batcha, said: “The DWP has advised that it does not have a budget for community venue hire for outreach activity.

“Feedback from residents accessing the service locally has been very positive, and the provision prevents individuals from having to travel to Taunton for appointments.

“The service aligns strongly with the Connect to Work programme and the Cradle to Career employability strand - supporting inclusive employment practices and reducing barriers to work.

“Subsidising room hire ensures continued local access to essential employment support.”

Councillors voted in support of subsidising the room hire for the DWP.