Issue - meetings

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture introduced the report which set out the outcomes of a review of the organisation and sought approval of on the level funding to be included in the 2016-17 budget. She highlighted the organisation had changed its name to Citizens Advice South Somerset (CASS), and introduced a representative from CASS, who was present to answer any questions if necessary. It was noted that CASS served the community well, and they worked closely with the SSDC Welfare Advice team to combine knowledge, but there was no duplication of work.

The Assistant Director (Communities), noted a very comprehensive review had been undertaken regarding activities of CASS. She explained that services needed to be delivered in a different way due to changes in circumstances and resources, and briefly highlighted key changes to the service. Reference was also made to a new service specification in the future.

In response to questions raised during discussion, the Assistant Director (Communities), the Third Sector & Partnerships Co-ordinator and the representative from CASS clarified that:

·         CASS was still affiliated to the national network of Citizens Advice, and the name change reflected a national change to drop the word ‘bureau’.

·         Acknowledgement that accessing central government funding was an issue, but locally, funding for certain specific projects could be bid for.

·         There had been no apparent reduction in case loads as a result of the name change.

In response to comments raised by Scrutiny Committee, the Third Sector & Partnerships Co-ordinator noted that:

·         The SSDC grant currently represented 22% of turnover, but from the end of next year would represent around 35%, and CASS were constantly looking for alternative funding sources.

·         SSDC do charge rent and a service charge for the office space at Petters Way and would also do so when another CASS office is set up at the Boden Centre in Chard.

·         There was no duplication of work with the SSDC Welfare Advice team but there is additional capacity, and protocols were in place to check if clients were working with both.

·         The new service specification was close to being finalised.

Members thanked, and congratulated the team at CASS on the work achieved to date, and were content to allocate the funding in the 2016/17 budget.