Agenda item

The Chairman welcomed Angela Kerr, Chief Executive Officer, Citizens Advice South Somerset to the meeting.  With the aid of a powerpoint presentation she informed members of the work and future development of Citizens Advice South Somerset.  Points mentioned during her presentation included the following:

·         The aim of the service was to provide the advice people need for the problems they face and improve the policies and practices that affect people’s lives;

·         Between April and September 2015 Citizens Advice South Somerset helped 2125 clients from South Somerset;

·         23.62% of total clients were from Area West;

·         502 clients in Area West were helped between April and September 2015;

·         The main client issues were around benefits and tax credits, debt, housing and employment;

·         The service could be accessed through the telephone, email and by drop in;

·         The service worked closely with the other Citizens Advice organisations in Somerset and by working together benefited from: Adviceline, Somerset Advice Network, Somerset Advice Strategy and an Online Referral System;

·         The service was currently recruiting for volunteers.  It took between 4 to 6 months to train an adviser.  The level of knowledge required for the role was reasonably high;

·         Ambitions for the future – the service had just moved into the Balsam Centre, Wincanton.  Discussions were currently taking place about bringing advice to Chard two days a week based at the Boden Centre;

·         The service was looking at how they could use Skype more effectively;

·         The service recognised the need to get closer to its clients to reduce the need to come into Yeovil for the service;

·         The service worked closely with Yarlington with a view to taking more provision out into the community.

During the ensuing discussion, the Chief Executive Officer, Citizens Advice South Somerset noted the comments of members and responded to questions on points of detail.  Points raised included the following:

·         Advice on employment issues were mainly around dismissal, contract queries and not being paid.  A number of case studies were available;

·         One of the challenges for the service was to convert its data into ward data;

·         All clients were offered a confidential service;

·         A member thanked the Officer for her very comprehensive report;

·         The service worked with Knightstone and Hastoe and were currently in discussion with them about providing money advice;

·         The service received funding from Wessex Water to ensure that advice is given on the effectiveness and management of paying bills;

·         It was agreed to circulate a copy of the presentation slides to members of the Committee;

·         A member commented that it would be useful to have year on year trend information in future reports;

·         It was important to work collaboratively with other organisations such as job centres, housing groups and mental health organisations but it was also important not to lose the local connection;

·         The service worked effectively with SSDC’s Benefits Team and met informally to discuss various issues.  The service only had one Welfare Benefit Adviser so was not in competition with SSDC.

The Chairman thanked Angela Kerr, Chief Executive, Citizens Advice South Somerset for attending the meeting.