Cheshire East has admitted it “got it wrong” following a dispute with the domestic abuse charity My CWA over funding for safe accommodation for victims.
The council, which axed funding for some services provided by the charity, also reduced its offer by £25,000 when it went out to tender to provide safe accommodation for victims and survivors of domestic abuse, (writes local democracy reporter Belinda Ryan).
At the time, and following an angry backlash from the public, the council issued a statement blaming My CWA for “withdrawing from the tender process”.
My CWA said it could not provide the service for the money the council was offering and then launched a crowdfunding campaign – which saw the community rally round and raise more than £460,000 from 1,488 donations, just shy of the target off £500,000.
Eventually, after the procurement process failed, the council extended its contract with My CWA for another year.
At Monday’s meeting of the Children and Families Committee, Coun Michael Beanland (Poynton) asked why the procurement process had failed.
Martyn Baggaley, head of integrated commissioning, told the committee: “Part of the reason the procurement failed last year was the one party that did submit a bid, which was My CWA, withdrew on the basis of insufficient funding because that was reduced by £25,000 a year.
“That funding was insufficient, it felt, to run the accommodation sustainably.
“As a result of that we’ve quite consciously built in a contingency element of an additional £100,000 over their contract value for this year.”
The committee was told funding for some domestic abuse provision came from central government.
Nantwich councillor Geoff Smith said: “There was a comment about the loss of £25,000 in terms of funding.
“Could you help me to understand where the loss came from when, you said about central government.”
Mr Baggaley replied: “That was a decision taken locally rather than central government, a decision that, I think, time has proven to not be the correct one.
“And I think it is incumbent on us to make sure we learn from that.”
Poynton councillor Jos Saunders thanked Mr Baggaley for his “candour and transparency on that”.
Evidence
The council was also asked to provide evidence of a fall in domestic abuse amid concerns it could reduce the number of safe accommodation places for victims by a quarter.
A report on a planned review of the provision of safe accommodation sparked concern among some members of the committee.
At present the council commissions accommodation units from My CWA.
Coun Saunders said : “It (the report) states that you’re asking for 16 units for accommodation. At the moment, My CWA is providing us with 21 units because it has other sources of funding.
“In a sense, we’re getting 25% more than what we’re commissioning, and we’re getting it for free.
“In the data, I couldn’t see anywhere that domestic abuse had fallen by 25%. Why are we only going for 16 units when it’s pretty clear – because it doesn’t state that any of those units have been empty – that we need 21 at least?”
Rhiannon Edwards, domestic abuse lead for Cheshire East Council, said the needs assessment attached to the report was published in 2023 and “we’re currently commissioning a rapid review of this because things have changed since then. It is slightly out of date”.
She added: “Because of that, I’d just like to point out that things will have changed on the requirements for accommodation units. We have 16 accommodation units at the moment and part of the rapid review is looking at what that should look like for 2026/27.
“We are probably looking at a completely different model of units, but until we know what the need is, I think we’ve got to wait and find out what that looks like.”
Coun Saunders later told the meeting that if the report came back to committee in September, following the consultation, and still recommended 16 accommodation units she would not support it.
“I still haven’t heard any evidence – and I can’t find anything in the report – that tells me that domestic abuse and the need for the units we currently have has gone down,” she said.
“The only caveat I would have for that is it seems this report is old.”
She asked why the committee had not been given a more up to date report.
The committee voted to approve the review of the provision for safe accommodation across Cheshire East for victims and survivors of domestic abuse.
The charity was due to lose funding for survivor support services on 1st April the MyCWA faced the “heartbreaking possibility” of closing its doors after 47 years of service.
On its Just Giving page it said: “When we launched our emergency appeal in January, our £500,000 fundraising target loomed like an impossible mountain. But our support centre remains open, our helpline will still answer calls and survivors will continue to find safety and healing with us – all because of you.
“We’re grateful to each and every one of you – individual donors, community fundraisers, local businesses, trusts and foundations – who answered our call for help.
“You who organised fundraisers, shaved your head, ran raffles, ran races, gave up birthday presents in place of donations, or donated whatever you could afford. You who spread the word about our crisis, emailed your MPs, and asked your friends and family to help.”
The £463,020.44 includes the new Cheshire East contract and £9,940.59 Gift Aid.
The level of support for the charity can be seen in the fact everyone from individuals to service groups and companies donated money. Donations visible on the Just Giving page include £3,700 from The Crown Group, £250 from the Rotary Club of Wilmslow and £1,000 from the Rotary Club of Wych-Malbank, money from people someone who saw the charity on “North West Tonight” or “Granada Reports”, with comments including: “Misguided council – prioritising funding Crewe capital projects over abuse of women and children in our area” and: “Such a vital charity. They (council) should be ashamed of themselves.”
