MATTERS REFERRED BY THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY OR JOINT AUDIT AND STANDARDS COMMITTEES
Decision:
It was RESOLVED: -
That Cabinet noted;
1.1 That the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommended to both Cabinets that the current minimum funding by both Councils for Citizens Advice be maintained for the next three years.
1.2 That the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee approached the Chairs of the Scrutiny Committees and Scrutiny Governance Officers of East Suffolk Council, West Suffolk Council, Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk County Council, with a view of setting up a county-wide scrutiny process to examine funding and the impact on Citizens Advice and the services of Citizens Advice.
1.3 That the Chairs of the said Scrutiny Committees be supplied with a report from Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the topic of Citizens Advice based on this Committee meeting as a basis for the scrutiny process.
Reason for Decision: The Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee is concerned about the future funding for Citizens Advice.
Any Declarations of Interest Declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes:
Councillor Morley welcomed Babergh District Councillor Alistair McCraw, Joint Chair of the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee to present the recommendations from the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Councillor McCraw advised Members that the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee had taken the decision to investigate the funding, services and impact of the Citizens Advice Bureau. Information was presented to the Committee by witnesses from the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Councillor McCraw went on to explain that the Committee’s aim was to start a scrutiny process which would involve external Councils as detailed in the recommendations.
The Chief Executive clarified that no commitments had been made at this stage and a report would be produced recommending a formal three-year rolling funding arrangement for organisations.
Councillor Morley moved that the recommendations in the report be noted and this was seconded by Councillor Brewster.
By a unanimous vote
It was RESOLVED:-
That Cabinet noted;
1.1 That the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommended to both Cabinets that the current minimum funding by both Councils for Citizens Advice be maintained for the next three years.
1.2 That the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee approached the Chairs of the Scrutiny Committees and Scrutiny Governance Officers of East Suffolk Council, West Suffolk Council, Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk County Council, with a view of setting up a country-wide scrutiny process to examine funding and the impact on Citizens Advice and the services of Citizens Advice.
1.3 That the Chairs of the said Scrutiny committees be supplied with a report from Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the topic of Citizens Advice based on this Committee meeting as a basis for the scrutiny process.
Reason for Decision: The Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee is concerned about the future funding for Citizens Advice.