WOKINGHAM Borough Council’s domestic abuse partner is continuing to face criticism.
Cranstoun took over the council’s domestic abuse support service last year after it was awarded a £1.5million contract.
Despite winning the tender from Berkshire Women’s Aid (BWA), which had been working with the council for 18 months prior, Cranstoun is still yet to provide a domestic abuse refuge in the borough.
The contract has a “refuge element” for victims and children residing in a refuge property of up to three rooms.
In August, a council spokesperson said Cranstoun was working on a range of “more enhanced” refuge spaces which would reduce the barrier for men and other victims (LGBTQ+) seeking help for domestic abuse.
Under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, councils in England must assess the need for support in their area, including the demand for “safe“ accommodation.
They must also “commission support to victims of domestic abuse and their children” who are living in refuge centres.
In November, the council granted funding to BWA to provide a refuge until March this year.
The government has now allocated further funding and the council is encouraging applications from any organisation who meets the criteria for the grant to apply.
Andrea West, CEO of BWA, said: “Why is this funding being offered on an annual basis and only as interim funding?
“Cranstoun should be providing this service as it was within the contract as part of the tender process.”
A spokesperson for Cranstoun said they are not responsible for providing a refuge provision.
“The refuge provision was withheld by the previous provider when the service went live in July 2021,” they said.
“The contract covers the support and management of refuge provision.
“Cranstoun has worked collaboratively with Wokingham Borough Council to resolve these challenges.”
Ms West is urging for clarity from the council and Cranstoun.
“We need clarity over the funding and the contract,” she said.
Ms West added: “We would continue to offer this service beyond March as we are very concerned and committed to doing everything we can to help victims – but it would help if it was funded properly.
“We will always offer support as it is the core principle of everything we do.”
There has been criticism aimed at Cranstoun with its domestic abuse helpline only staffed between 9am and 5pm, with a 24-hour service to be launched “shortly”.
Louise Timlin, leader of the Reading and Wokingham branch of the Women’s Equality Party, said: “Wokingham Borough Council is talking up its domestic abuse service yet it is failing to provide the most basic of services.”
Wokingham.Today understands there have been some examples of messages not being responded to, a claim which Cranstoun refutes.
The spokesperson said: “All messages, where contact details are provided and it is deemed safe to do so, are responded to within 24 hours.
“In an emergency, victims should call the police on 999.”
Residents have also criticised of Cranstoun for only providing support to domestic abuse victims over the age of 10, whereas BWA offers this service to those over the age of five.
When asked if the council was happy with the service being provided by Cranstoun, the spokesperson said: “The council actively monitors performance of all awarded contracts and if and when issues are identified, these are resolved in line with contract monitoring.”