Burnham-On-Sea’s job centre is to close later this year, it was announced on Thursday afternoon (January 17th).
Somerset County Council has already expressed its “serious concerns” about the government’s announcement that both the Chard and Burnham Job Centre Plus sites will shut as part of a “modernisation” programme by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).
Last year, the County Council voiced its opposition to the two proposed closures during the DWP’s consultation exercise.
Jill Shortland, Leader of Somerset County Council, said in a statement on Thursday afternoon: “Somerset County Council is extremely disappointed about the Government’s decision to close these important Job Centre Plus offices.”
“It demonstrates a lack of understanding of the economic and social realities of life in Somerset and is misconceived financially: any savings must be offset against additional costs to the public purse and some of our most vulnerable members of society from lost employment opportunities.”
“While Somerset County Council is working with Job Centre Plus in Burnham to look at alternative provision, we remain deeply concerned about the implications of this decision.”
A campaign was launched last year to try and save the job centre from closure. Highbridge councillor Joe Leach led that campaign and told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I am very disappointed by this news.”
“We are still working with the County Council to try and keep it open. There may well be a solution here yet.”
RELATED LINKS:
Campaign launched to save Burnham job centre
Burnham job centre ‘could close’
