Issue - meetings

Following a resolution of full Council on 14 November 2013, the Cabinet confirmed its intention to produce and publish an Advice & Information Strategy.  It is proposed that this Strategy be further developed and informed by a period of public consultation and engagement before adoption in early 2014.

Joe Scofield in a statement [a copy of which is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 7 and on the Council’s website] pointed out that large numbers of residents from the Twerton and Whiteway area had been helped by the Citizens Advice Bureau in the previous 3 years.  He appealed to Cabinet to sustain the help and support offered to a large number of people.

Lin Patterson in a statement [a copy of which is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 8 and on the Council’s website] said she felt that the strategy document made a convincing case for continuing the current level of funding for Citizens Advice Bureau.  She argued that the CAB had the ability to attract and hold long serving volunteers and had an unrivalled reputation for service.

Councillor Tim Warren in an ad hoc statement acknowledged the hard work of officers who had produced the report in such a short timeframe.  He felt however that a report to Council in January would have allowed more time to develop a strategy.  He felt that the report placed before Cabinet did not address all the points made by Council.  He asked a number of questions which he felt remained unanswered.  In particular, the report did not explain how the service would be delivered, nor how it would be funded.

Councillor Simon Allen introduced the item.  He said that if the strategy were adopted, it would start a 6-week consultation process.  He had been pleased that the strategy had come about as a result of democracy in action – as a request from Council.  The aim of the Council should be to ensure that people know how and where to get the information and advice they need and are able to maximise their independence by using the knowledge they have gained.  The strategy would reflect recent changes in society by protecting vulnerable members of society.

He moved the proposals.

Councillor Katie Hall observed that Councils would soon have a statutory duty to provide certain information and advice services.  She therefore warmly seconded the proposals.

On a motion from Councillor Simon Allen, seconded by Councillor Katie Hall, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To AGREE to consult for a period of 6 weeks from 9th December to 24th January on the draft Advice & Information Strategy 2014-16; and

(2) To ASK for a report on the outcome of the consultation at its February 2014 meeting, with a view to agreeing and publishing an Advice & Information Strategy 2014-17 in fulfilment of the commitment made at Council on 14 November 2013.