Citizens Advice Bureau Update
Argyll and Bute Council · 6 May 2025
Back to Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group — 6 May 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
Argyll & Bute Citizens Advice Bureau Community Planning Partnerships Update May 2025 Figure 1: Advice areas Feb, March April 2025 Figure 2: Advice areas April 2025-March 2025 The Bureau has continued to remain busy with a wide area of advice provision, benefits advice provision accounts for approximately 36-39% of all level 1 advice. Over the last quarter we
Page 2
supported 638 clients and provided 3295 distinct pieces of advice. Our client financial gain for this period is £388,715 for just over half of all overall clients accounting for an average of £1101 per eligible client. Debt advice has risen by 170% if we compare the last quarter with the same period last year, from 110 advice codes to 292, and debt clients have increased by 35%, demonstrating the complexity and higher prevalence of debt as a result of the increased cost of living across Argyll & Bute. The Bureau continues to collaborate with the LA with council tax debt advice and will support vulnerable clients to have a moratorium placed on their account while we work to gather relevant information to ensure all entitlements are in place. Over the course of 2024/25 the Bureau supported 1962 clients with 12,374 pieces of advice. Again benefits advice provision was the highest area of advice, accounting for 39% of all level 1 advice codes. Our advisers which consist in the main of volunteer advisers supported 1506 (or 77% of all) clients across the whole of Argyll & Bute to realise £2,015,347 in client financial gain, an average of £1,338 per eligible client. Volunteer recruitment As a partner organisation within the council’s Community Learning Partnership, we are delighted to have recruited our 21st volunteer adviser. Our in-house training development officer is supporting our latest cohort of volunteer advisers to complete the accredited adviser training program. Our next intake of trainees will be later this year and we ask colleagues to note this when speaking to members of the public and elsewhere as an extremely good opportunity to effect positive change in an ever complex world. Services with the Bureau Welfare Rights – support with all benefits issues including completing applications, submitting mandatory reconsideration requests and representation at tribunal/appeals. Housing Debt – support for people in housing arrears or facing debts that threaten tenure retention. FCA regulated support to address debts and seek free solutions includes court representation where required. Energy efficiency and debt support – Support to negotiate with Suppliers, seek debt reduction, change tariffs, submit complaints to suppliers and Ombudsman. Armed Services Advice Project, following the Royal British Legion withdrawing funding for holistic advice provision in Scotland the Bureau was successful in obtaining funding via the Veterans Foundation to continue supporting our armed services communities across Argyll & Bute. Patient Advice Support Service – We provide statutory advice on patient rights, complaints to GP’s, Health & Social Care Partnership, and can support submissions to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.
Page 3
Money Talks – Income maximisation project looking to reduce costs, increase income through benefits entitlements and address low persistent debt. Clients can self-select areas of advice and support online https://www.moneytalkteam.org.uk/find-information Unpaid Carers Money & Welfare. – This is a new project funded provision of holistic advice to carers across Argyll & Bute. Support to access increase precarious income, care, raise issues, complete applications for Power of Attorney etc, address financial supports and access benefits. Generalist advice on Housing, Employment relationship, court processes, parking charge notices and neighbour disputes. Outreach Locations Bute & Cowal Dunoon [Food bank, Crossroads Carers (unpaid carers only) and JC+] Oban Lorn & the Isles Oban [Hope Kitchen, Carr Gomm, North Argyll Carers Centre (unpaid carers only) the Toy Library and JC+] Tiree Community Development Trust MAKI Campbeltown JC+, Dochas Carers Centre (unpaid carers only) Helensburgh & Lomond Helensburgh Carers Centre (unpaid carers only)