Minutes:
David Andy and Sharon Brown were welcomed to the meeting and gave a very detailed update on the Welfare Advice Outreach Service, jointly delivered by Citizens Advice and DIAL. Before the lockdown 1000 clients were assisted with benefit issues, with 285 clients gaining an additional £1,669,894 of benefits. During lockdown 1519 clients have been assisted with benefit issues with 173 clients assisted to gain £1,175,861 of benefits. Since the project began in 2015, there have been 8088 client contacts, with £10.4m of additional benefits gained and in excess of £1.65m of debt managed, representing a return on investment for the Area Council of £26 per £1 spent. Three case studies were provided for information.
RESOLVED that David and Andy be congratulated on this very strong performance and that thanks be passed on to staff who had continued to deliver the service with positivity even though going through a very challenging time themselves.