Agenda item

Resume consideration of funding approach from CAB arising from Council decision of 15 December 2005 –

“The Council resolves that the Policy Development Group be reconvened within one month to continue with its remit from the Council, in order to look at the additional information regarding the CAB provided since the Group’s last meeting, and to look at the issue of a wider review of advice services”

Members are requested to bring to this meeting the papers issued for the previous meetings of the Policy Development Group.  The following further papers are enclosed –

(1)               Protective Services report submitted to Council meeting on 15 December 2005.

(2)               Commentary provided by CAB as tabled at Council meeting on 15 December 2005.

(3)               Letter of 16 December 2005 from CAB to Council Leader with revised CAB financial forecast.

(4)               Letter of 21 December 2005 from CAB to Director of Corporate Services re Board Membership.

(5)               Note from CAB regarding anticipated revised composition of the CAB Board to be confirmed at CAB EGM on 17 January.

(6)               Protective Services Report – Review of Recent ABCAB Issues.

The Council had, on 15 December 2005, agreed that the Policy Development Group be reconvened within one month, to continue with its remit from the Council, in order to look at the additional information regarding the CAB provided since the Group’s last meeting, and to look at the issue of a wider review of advice services.

Members of the Group considered a number of additional documents and were given the opportunity to pose questions to Peter Minshall, Stuart Divers and Geraldine Day who were representing the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Decision

1.                  That, in respect of the current financial year, as an addition to the money already provided by the Council this year, a further £16,000 be provided, to be paid on the following basis and subject to the following conditions -  

(1)               The funds will be paid in two equal instalments during the remainder of this financial year.

(2)               The funds are conditional on Citizens Advice Scotland (or whom failing, an alternative source) providing match funding of £16,000 during this financial year; in the event that match funding is not to be made available to the CAB the Council’s contribution of £16,000 will also not be made.

(3)               The Council’s contribution is conditional on the CAB providing to the Council –

a.                  before the end of the current financial year, a revised business plan together with a policy statement setting out a full description of the services CAB will deliver from year 2006/7 onwards, together with a description of the management and operational arrangements to secure the delivery of those services and the quality standards that will apply to them;

b.                  as soon as possible, if it is the CAB’s intention to seek funding for future years, the CAB’s proposals for and a basis for an agreement with the Council for services to be taken forward in keeping with the Argyll and Bute Advice Network Action Plan.

c.                  Copies of the monthly management accounts that the CAB Board of management receives.

(4)               The decision to provided £16,000 in respect of this financial year carries no commitment with it that the Council will provide funding in the next or future financial years.

2.                  That the member and officer representation on the ABCAB remain as existing.

3.                  That the Council determine the source of the provision for the £16,000 contribution to the CAB.

(Reference: Protective Services Report Submitted to Council Meeting on 15 December 2005, Commentary Provided by CAB as Tabled at Council Meeting on 15 December 2005, Letter of 16 December 2005 from CAB to Council Leader with Revised CAB Financial Forecast, Letter of 21 December 2005 from CAB to Director of Corporate Services re Board Membership, Note from CAB Regarding Anticipated Revised Composition of the CAB Board, Protective Services Report – Review of Recent ABCAB Issues, Comments from Policy Officer (Strategy) and summary Document on “Assessing Need for Legal advice in Scotland: An Overview”, submitted)