Wrexham Council complete Citizens Advice funding U-turn from £0 to £60k

Wrexham Council have changed position of wanting to cut all funding to the town’s Citizens Advice (CAB) service to now announcing a £60k package of financial support, slightly over what the CAB were asking for last year.

A decision to phase out the ‘core funding’ for advice services over a two year period was made by members of the then Executive Board in October 2015. This specifically mentioned “…phase out the CAB core funding over a 2 year period (50% in year 1 and remaining 50% in year 2)”. The decision itself was held under ‘part two’ rules, meaning members of the press and public were excluded from the meeting so the exact debate is unknown, however you can view the public summary at the footer of these brief minutes.

In May last year a motion was put forward for consideration at Full Council by the local Labour Group requesting £50k funding to made available to prevent the imminent closure of the service, with Council Leader Mark Pritchard then saying the CAB ‘had ample time to seek other possible routes of funding’. The motion itself was deferred to an Executive Board meeting without debate, in a move that was criticised by opposition councillors.

The Executive Board then considered a report containing four options, including £0 £25k and £50k funding.The report also questioned if the funding cut would infact result in the closure of the services, noting ‘substantial reserve value’ and all but criticising the cuts made by the CAB, with the implication they could do more themselves.

That prompted an angry response from the CAB, who pointed to the six figure value saved to the county borough through their work, in return for a traditional contribution from the local authority dating back since the 1960’s.

At the Executive Board meeting in June we described how Cllr Hugh Jones pulled a £25k rabbit out of his funding hat, which gave a temporary reprieve for the CAB. Cllr Hugh Jones reiterated the £25k ‘figure came from’ the CAB following various meetings with council representatives, and was presented as giving the CAB what they wanted. This version of events was something that appeared to be disputed then and even now, with the ‘ask’ apparently being double the sum despite the meeting told there was a direct question asked over the sum required.

In August the CAB noted their reduced service due the the funding cut, and made it clear they had required £50k not the £25k, and had requested as much.

The council funding, along with £7,000 raised by volunteer Gwyn Evans and donations from various others, allowed the charity to keep going into 2019.

Earlier this month we updated readers that a council meeting was told several further meetings had taken place between Wrexham Council and the CAB, and a future apparently positive recommendation was imminent.

Yesterday Wrexham Council said: “We have been working with Citizens Advice Wrexham (CAW) to safeguard their valuable services that are provided to the public.

“And we’re pleased to let you know that we have now reached an agreement with them on the level of funding required from Wrexham Council for the 2019/2020 financial year.”

Council Leader Cllr Mark Prichard, said “I am pleased that we are working in true partnership with the Wrexham CAW and that we have jointly agreed a level of financial support for the 2019/20 financial year of £60,000. We recognise and value all the hard work and effort that CAW puts into delivering its service here in Wrexham. Officers will now finalise the written agreement and monitoring arrangements and I would like to thank everyone involved in this matter.”

Gaynor Roberts, Chief Executive of CAW said: “The organisation is appreciative of the support being provided by the Local Authority. As people will know we had to reduce our service for the last 12 months as a result of funding issues, what this will enable us to do is reopen up again providing 3 days drop in service with designation generalist appointments taking place on Tuesdays”

Robert Williams, Chair of the Wrexham CAW said: “I welcome the engagement with the Leader of the Council and the confirmation of the financial support that they are providing to help us provide good quality housing and debt advice. Long may it continue.”

Reacting to the news Labour Group Leader Cllr Dana Davies, who placed the Motion calling for a £50,000 grant in May last year told us: “The Labour Group requested £50,000 and a future funding review of Wrexham’s CAB at last May’s Council Meeting, following Wrexham Council’s decision to withdraw all funding support.

“This review has highlighted the vital work the CAB provides to many residents of the County Borough and we are very pleased the Council has recognised this in today’s decision to fund the CAB with £60,000.

“We hope this funding agreement will continue into the future and secure the CAB service for the people of Wrexham.”

There is still no clarity from Wrexham Council over how a ‘directly asked question‘ of ‘how much?’ apparently answered with ‘£50k’ turned into £25k at a later date.

Top pic: Cllr Pritchard, Gaynor Roberts, and Robert Williams at the CAB.