Agenda item

To provide an update on our activities and the impact of the Cost of Living Crisis on Hyndburn residents.

The Chair welcomed David Oglaza, Chief Executive and Nick Pilling, Vice Chair of the Board of Citizens Advice East Lancashire.

Mr Pilling spoke initially and informed the committee of the recent merger of local Citizens Advice services to form Citizens Advice East Lancashire. He assured the committee that local branding and location will remain the same and there has been little impact on the community due to the merger. Mr Pilling was hopeful that the merger will help with future project funding. He also highlighted the importance of local authority funding for the service and thanked the Council for their grant. Although local authority funding only makes up 20-25% of their total, it helps leverage additional funding to keep the service running.

Mr Pilling ended by highlighting how the Council grant to Citizens Advice is used to help meet some of its own corporate objectives, including reducing costs associated with homelessness and helping people meet their Council tax obligations.

Mr Oglaza summarised the report and highlighted the following:

·         1642 Hyndburn Residents Advised (1832 Rossendale)

·         Benefit gains - over £250,000 of additional income brought into Hyndburn via new benefit claims, winning appeals, successfully challenging decisions

·         Debts written off via insolvency options - £302,114

·         Debt Repayments rescheduled - £93,105

·         Social Value - For every £1 invested in Citizens Advice, we’ve delivered over £14 in public value, through economic and social benefits. We save government and public services money by helping stop problems occurring or escalating, we reduce pressure on public services like health, housing or out-of-work benefits.

·         Launched a dedicated food and fuel voucher line in October 2022 and receive over

·         200 calls a week from Hyndburn & Rossendale residents wanting help with food or a fuel voucher

The Committee asked the following questions, and the answers given are provided.

1.    Do other Council’s contribute to the service?

Answer – Yes. Rossendale, Pendle and Burnley Council’s provide similar grants. In addition, until recently Rossendale Council provided office accommodation. Ribble Valley Council also provide a small grant.

2.    I’m concerned regarding the 2000 residents who were unable to get through to the service. Why is this?

Answer – The simple answer is there it too much demand for the service. There is a new system in place which is helping and residents can also use the website.

3.    Are people aware of the opening hours of the service and is there demographic data of those service users?

Answer – We publicise the service and this is something also that Councillors can help us with. We do have some demographic data, some of which was included in the report. PIPs is the most frequent area of advice given.

4.    Can Councillors be provided with some info that they can share with residents?

Answer – Yes, I will provide info to the Scrutiny Officer for circulation amongst Councillors.

5.    The social value added seems excellent value. What more could the Council do to support the service.

Answer – Firstly, the current grant is essential and we would be hopeful that the Council continue to provide this. We would also welcome other opportunities of working together, perhaps in terms of accommodation.

6.    Could additional funding help?

Answer – Additional funding would help and could potentially be used to train more volunteers.

Cllr Scott Brerton proposed two recommendations, which were approved by the Committee.

Resolved        -           That Cabinet considers the following recommendations of the Committee.

(i)            That Cabinet agrees to include a minimum grant in line with the previous year for Citizens Advice East Lancashire in its 2024/25 budget proposals (Note that actual approval of the grant will be subject to Council approval of the 2024/25 Revenue Budget); and;

(ii)          That Cabinet considers an increase in the grant to Citizen’s Advice East Lancashire in its 2024/25 budget proposals due to the current demand on the service from Hyndburn residents.