Report attached.

Along with the Havering Volunteer Centre, the Citizens Advice Service (CAS) was one of only two organisations to receive a grant from the Council and scrutiny of this area had originally been suggested by a member of the public.

The Chief Executive Officer of the CAS explained that the service had been established in 1939 and continued to provide advice to Havering residents. The top issues dealt with by the CAS related to benefits, debts and housing. Work by the CAS at a national level generated investment locally and work also aimed to save public money by e.g. reducing numbers of evictions. The resultant increase in people’s wellbeing also served to boost the local economy.

Council funding was used for core CAS operations. Larger funding was received from the Department for Work and Pensions but this was solely for the CAS service giving phone advice on claiming universal credit and helped clients from a wider geographical area. Should the Council’s funding cease, the CEO felt this would affect the overall viability of the service and it would be difficult to continue.

Alternative organisations that could provide advice services had been mapped by the Council but the CAS was the only generalist advice service in Havering. A phone advice line as available Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm and face to face appointments could be made in Havering Library if necessary. Contact details were publicised via the Over 50s Forum, Romford Recorder and social media. All CAS services were only for Havering residents except for the Help to Claim service which was DWP funded.

The CEO accepted that many other organisations also provided advice but CAS services could not be provided by others with many residents requiring e.g. an advocacy service separate from the Council. The CAS was also quality assured by an external provider. Advisors were trained by the CAB and advice given was checked externally. Not all advisors were legally trained with some only having the CAS qualification but the CEO emphasised that advice given was of high quality.

Around £300k Council Tax arrears was recovered each year following people approaching the CAS for assistance. Council officers felt that it would not to be assessed as to whether these figures could still be achieved if CAS funding was to be withdrawn. The CEO reported that the changes to the Winter Fuel Allowance had not been that big an issue thus far.

The CAS level of reserves helped to manage cashflow if e.g. grant payments were late and it was considered good practice to build these up to a target of three months of operating costs. The Council was trying to assist the CAS via the funding system and the planned Thames Freeport.

The specific case management system used by the CAS could not be shown to Members due to data protection. Reports could however be generated showing overall themes etc. People seeking advice were asked for their postcodes to establish if they were a Havering resident. Council housing officers would refer people to the CAS for housing benefit advice. The CAS had good relations with senior Council housing officers. 

The Council received £30k per year rent from the CAS. Whilst being based in the Town Hall would not be appropriate, other accommodation options for the CAS were being considered. S. 106 funding could be used for this but the funding was limited. It was agreed to recommend to Cabinet that it be investigated whether the Angel Way and Como Street developments could use S. 106 funding to provide the CAS with accommodation.

A Member asked why the agreed saving of CAS funding had not been implemented. The Strategic Director of Resources responded that officers had felt that this could not be withdrawn without ensuring that the CAS remained financially viable. This officer decision had been reported to scrutiny in the quarterly budget monitoring and savings report. Alternative funding had been found for the CAS for this financial year but this would need to be revisited for next year.

It was clarified that the advice given by the CAS to Council tenants covered benefits and debt advice. Specialist housing advice was a separate function. A Member asked if a breakdown by area or postcode of residents helped could be provided. It may also be possible to use Community Infrastructure Levy funding to assist the CAS.

It was agreed to recommend to Cabinet that it be investigated whether S. 106 or Community Infrastructure Levy funding from current developments could be used to support the CAS.