northlincs.gov.uk

16        (16) CAB ADVICELINE – REQUESTS FOR FUNDS – The Director of Policy and Resources submitted a report to inform the Cabinet member that a request for funding had been received from Scunthorpe & District Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB).

In October 2014 CAB began a trial of a national CAB initiative, Adviceline. It allowed residents to phone trained staff who could assess the level of help needed and either:

·         Provide information over the phone;

·       Direct them to information including internet based help;

·       Signpost them to other more relevant services; or

·         Arrange an appointment with an Advisor

For the first 3 months of the trial CAB reports showed an increase of 39% in the number of residents helped and 55% in the number of issues dealt with over the same period in the previous year.

The report outlined that the CAB wanted to fully implement Adviceline, expanding its operating hours to include an out of office hour’s service and thereby further increase the availability of those who worked to assist.

The cost of the full implementation was estimated at £58,541 and CAB had asked for £30,000 from the Council.

Resolved – (a) That the recommendation to provide CAB with the £30,000 of funding, as requested, to allow them to provide a full Adviceline service without recourse to their reserves be approved, and (b) that any offer letter explicitly states that the funding is for 2015-16 only, with suitable amendments being made to the Council’s existing SLA with CAB.