CHARITIES and local organisations needing to carry out background checks on potential workers may have to travel to Sedgemoor or Taunton Deane for the service after the West Somerset CVS was warned it was not processing enough applications. The Minehead-based CVS is the only 'umbrella' organisation in the district which can check and process applications for criminal records checks but has been told it is simply not doing enough. Manager Katrina Midgley said she planned to appeal against the Criminal Records Bureau's plans to withdraw the service from the CVS but said she needed to show support from the community. She is asking anyone who already uses the services to contact her, including an estimate on the number of applications and renewals which may be needed over the next 12 months. She is also keen to hear from people who do not currently use the service but who may wish to do so in the coming year. Ms Midgley said: "We have been told that as we do not process at least 100 applications in any 12 month period, our umbrella status is to be withdrawn. "This will mean that this service is no longer available in West Somerset. "I am currently working on a letter of appeal and have been advised that I need to provide documentary evidence of our organisation's ability to achieve the magic number." She has until December 19 to appeal and can be contacted on 01643 707484 or by emailing katrina@ engagews.org.uk.
