The Council has been a partner in developing
Credit Unions (CU) across Allerdale and the wider West Cumbria area
for over 20 years.
The history of CUs in Allerdale was based on a number of community
based CUs in Workington and Maryport. In 2010 these CUs merged to
create the Allerdale CU. In 2015, Allerdale CU and Cleator Moor CU
merged to form the West Cumbria Credit Union (WCCU).
The new, larger CU has ambitious plans to reduce the number of
residents who use high interest doorstep lenders and high street
organisations.
At present the total consumer debt in Allerdale alone is over
£450m, the WCCU growth plan set out in this report aims to
reduce the amount of interest paid out by Allerdale residents by
£2.1m over the next 4 years. Enabling this money to be used
productively in the Allerdale area.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure > £50,000 and affects more than 1 ward;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 07/08/2017
Decision due: 6 September 2017 by Executive
Lead member: Deputy Leader and Executive Member: Policy, Governance and People Resources
Contact: Andrew Seekings, Chief Executive Email: andrew.seekings@allerdale.gov.uk.
Background2: That Members agree: To support the development of WCCU To support the development of its growth plan including the development of a new Workington Town Centre branch, the Allerdale Account and rebranding and marketing To support WCCU with £250,000 from the Council’s Priorities Fund of £451,000 over the next four years