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Credit crunch aid launched
A COUNCIL has launched a free advice service to help residents struggling to cope with the current economic downturn.
Derbyshire Dales District Council's debt project has been set up at the Citizens' Advice Bureau, in Bank Road, Matlock, to help local people tackle issues including concerns over mortgage repayments.
It will also help residents with advice on budgeting, savings, pensions and borrowing.
The council is funding the 125,000 project from additional council tax raised on second homes to provide the free debt advice across the area for the next two years.
The service will be headed by a full-time debt adviser.
Council leader, Cllr Lewis Rose, said: "We are listening to what many residents and businesses are telling us about the challenges they are facing right now.
"With this in mind, in addition to the free debt advice service for residents, we are continuing to urge small businesses in particular to take the opportunity to tender for council services and also to check whether they qualify for rate relief."
The council's website regularly updates lists of new contract opportunities and also has a downloadable claim form for rate relief.
The debt project will assist Dales residents by drawing up debt management plans, referring cases to free or means-tested legal advice where needed, helping resolve secured and unsecured loans, negotiating with creditors and referring, where applicable, to other sources of help.
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Weather for Chesterfield
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
Temperature: 1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
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