Issue details

Contract arrangements for Community Advice (Citizens Advice)

The contract with Citizens Advice to provide a generalist advice service across West Sussex will cease in March 2019. The contract is funded via a long-standing partnership arrangement between the County Council and the West Sussex District and Borough Councils that dates from 2010. The current 2017-18 contract provides the majority of the core funding (£1m) for the Citizens Advice service provided across West Sussex. The remainder of the funding (£200k) is raised by Citizens Advice through income generated from additional contracts that depend upon the core service and fund raising.

 

The future funding of the community advice service for up to three years is a clear commitment from the County Council to support effective partnership working with district and borough partners and voluntary and community sector service providers.

 

The community advice service in West Sussex is a universal service with a high-profile brand identity that is well known to the general public. The service is often the first point of contact for people in crisis situations and works with other voluntary and statutory sector organisations that operate within county, district and borough and parish boundaries. Through its universal advice offer the Citizens Advice service contributes to the following key West Sussex Plan objectives:

 

  • Best start in life
  • A prosperous place
  • A strong, safe and sustainable place
  • Independence for later life
  • A council that works for the community

 

The Citizens Advice service in West Sussex is 80% delivered by volunteers and supports volunteering opportunities across the county. The service in West Sussex also supports better partnership working between the voluntary and the statutory sectors including the County Council, for example in promoting place-based local service delivery and the future development of volunteering.

 

Decision type: Key

Reason Key: Affects more than 1 division;

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Divisions affected: (All Divisions);

Notice of proposed decision first published: 21/12/2018

Decision due: February 2019 by Cabinet Member for Adults and Health

Lead member: Councillor Amanda Jupp amanda.jupp@westsussex.gov.uk

Contact: Seth Gottesman, Senior Contracts & Commissioning Officer Email: seth.gottesman@westsussex.gov.uk Tel: 033 022 28706.

Consultation process

Representations concerning this proposed decision can be made to the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, via the officer contact, by the beginning of the month in which the decision is due to be taken.

Democratic Services Contact: Erica Keegan Tel: 033 022 26050

Background3: A Council That Works for the Community

Decisions

Background papers

  • None