HOPES have been raised that Swindon Foodbank's future is secure

Swindon Borough Council says that the foodbank’s sites will continue to operate into June.

Mike Ash, the council’s head of housing, told the Swindon Advertiser: “The good news is that interim arrangements are being developed with the current provider beyond May and the volunteer base remains strong and engaged.

“The intention is that the warehouse, which remains well stocked, will continue to operate as well as all of the distribution points across the borough.

“The council will continue to support, although we recognise that the ultimate solution will be external to our own operational activity. Whatever advice and technical expertise we can offer, we will.”

There were fears earlier this week after the charity that runs Swindon Foodbank, Swindon Christian Community Projects, announced that it would cease operations on May 31. An important volunteer-staffed service, the foodbank last year handed out more than 5,000 emergency three-day food parcels in the town.

SCCP trustees were vague about the reasons for the closure, which will also hit charity projects Renew and Men’s Shed. Chairman of trustees Bob Hayward blamed governance problems, operational challenges and funding issues.

In a press statement, Mr Hayward said on Monday: “It is with deep regret that we announce the closure of the charity, including Swindon Foodbank, Men’s Shed and Renew.

“This is because of the combined impact of several difficult governance, operational and funding issues to which there is no single or easy answer and even a sudden influx of money would not correct the combined problems that we are experiencing.

“Over the past 18 months, the trustees have looked at every option to resolve each of the core problems in order to keep the charity open. This included a strategy review in May-June 2017 and a restructure consultation in January-March 2018 both of which involved consultation with staff and the more recent with volunteers.

“These unresolved problems have also led to the Trussell Trust, which supports a network of foodbanks across the UK, ending the SCCP franchise agreement.”

More follows.