Face-to-face meetings at a Lanarkshire town's financial advice service will resume soon, as demand for the community resource has soared.
Lanarkshire Live recently told how Cambuslang residents were seriously concerned that the town's Money Matters service was still only offering phone or email advice rather than face to face consultations, while the town's library was operating reduced opening hours.
However following a meeting between Cambuslang Community Council (CCC) and South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture (SLLC), who operate the services from Cambuslang Gate, it appears a solution is set to be reached, with a hybrid Money Matters service being introduced.
SLLC representatives are believed to have stated that a lack of staffing issues were partly behind the reduced services.
However they added that increased for people using Money Matters, almost certainly tied to the current cost of living crisis, has had an impact as they strived to cope with a considerable number of extra cases.
Clare Williamson, vice-chairwoman of CCC told Lanarkshire Live that last week's meeting represented progress.
She said: "On Money Matters, we were told that SLLC have been planning a reconfigured advice service.
"Although additional staff have been recruited, the demand for the service has increased significantly.
"Consequently, a so-called hybrid advice service will be introduced from early November with a mix of telephone, online and face-to-face appointments and some home visits.
"Although the majority of service provision is expected to be online or by phone, we were given the crucial assurance that anyone who really wants a face-to-face appointment will get one."
A number of comments from locals had stated they were concerned about only accessing the vital advice through email or over the phone, citing issues with trying to explain complex paperwork over the phone, a lack of online awareness and, in some cases, hearing issues that made phone conversations difficult.
Ms Williamson added: Regarding Cambuslang Library, we were told that after COVID, the priority for SLLC was to open so-called 'hub libraries' in Rutherglen, East Kilbride, Hamilton and Lanark. In a second phase, other libraries were opened though not always fully.
"In the case of Cambuslang, problems with staff recruitment and restrictions on the opening hours of the Cambuslang Gate building have also constrained full service resumption.
"We argued strongly that Cambuslang - as the fourth largest town in South Lanarkshire - should have library services prioritised as in other large towns.
"SLLC agreed to review the opening hours of the Library over the coming weeks, starting with the provision of after-school opening. We also offered to help SLLC with local recruitment of qualified staff."
It was also agreed that communication between the council, their arms-length partners and the community council could be improved.
A SLLC spokesman stated: "Council officers were able to advise the community council that the council will be extending the provision of face to face appointments for Money Matters Advice Services from November 7, commencing with Cambuslang Gate.
"The council is also working with SLLC to look at what can be put in place for the Library.
"Money and welfare advice has been mainly provided by telephone over the past two and half years and this has proven to be both effective and convenient for clients, however it is recognised some clients may benefit from a face to face appointment.
"Given the pressure on household finances as a result of the cost of living crisis, the service has seen an increase in the number of households seeking support and has recruited additional staff to help."
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