Peeblesshire News | News | Vote of no confidence

Wednesday, 19th November, 2008

Published: Friday, 3rd March, 2006 11:58

Vote of no confidence

Print Article

THE former chairman of an award-winning charity project in Peeblesshire claims it is on the brink of collapse.

And is calling for all the funders of Home Basics (Tweeddale) to cut off their cash flow.

Ron Sutherland was one of the founders of the furniture-recycling organisation more than six years ago.

He acted as chairman in its early days.

And has maintained his membership of the committee.

But the Innerleithen businessman has revealed the project – which is mainly supported by public money, including a £100,000 grant from Transforming Waste Scotland in 2003 – is now in dire straits.

Mr Sutherland told the Peeblesshire News: “I started to take a greater interest in Home Basics again towards the end of last year.

“I’ve been asking to see the accounts but I am continually being fobbed off. I know they have been in deep financial trouble for some time.

“I have no confidence in the people running Home Basics and don’t think any more public or charitable money should be going their way.

“Staff hours have been cut, and they are desperately seeking to gain development funding to expand. This would be throwing good money after bad.”

Home Basics (Tweeddale) was established in 1999 to collect, renovate and supply furniture and other household items. It operated under the umbrella organization of the Tweeddale Association of Voluntary Organisations until becoming its own limited company in 2002.

And moved from its Innerleithen home to premises in Walkerburn the following year.

It has supplied thousands of unemployed and low-waged Borderers with furniture and electrical equipment to start up their own homes.

Hundreds of referral cases are passed to Home Basics (Tweeddale) every year from social workers, the Citizens Advice Bureau, and charities such as Women’s Aid and Penumbra.

Its training courses have also helped dozens of unemployed people get back into work.

Home Basics (Tweeddale) has picked up the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award for Unsung Heroes, and also scooped an award from the New Ways initiative.

But financial problems began last year and the project was on the verge of closure only a couple of months ago – at one point a bankrolling committee member had to provide a loan for wages to be paid.

Walkerburn councillor Patricia Purves believes the problems are now in the past. She told us: “There is absolutely no reason why Home Basics shouldn’t pick itself up.

“This is a good scheme which benefits a lot of people, and has been a leading example for other charity enterprises. There is a new manager in place and also a new chairman and board, and I am confident they are all doing the right things.”

And the project’s new chairman, Andrew Tweedy, is also confident. He said: “It has been a difficult few months but the organization has finally attained the financial position it needs to be in.”

The recently elected board of Home Basics (Tweeddale) is looking to open a sister unit in Hawick, and a woodworking centre for trainees in Walkerburn.

And plans are afoot to launch a Friends of Home Basics society.

New manager Brain Taylor is critical of the former chairman’s attacks, and believes the project has a future. He commented: “We are taking steps to strengthen the position of Home Basics, and we are determined to survive. It would be desperately sad if the actions of one man were to prevent us from doing this.

“We’ve had our problems, but Home Basics continues to provide a fantastic service.”

Social Bookmarking What are these?