Details of questions should be notified to Democratic Services at least three working days prior to the meeting - by 10am on Thursday 12 December 2024.
Details about speaking at Council to be found here: Public Speaking at Meetings.
Minutes:
The Lord Mayor reported the receipt of two questions from members of the public.
1. Question from FW
Please explain why NHCIL can be used for Wellbeing Exeter and not for Citizens Advice Exeter and why Citizens Advice Exeter will not be included as an option when consulting the public on the use of the NHCIL going forward?
Councillor Vizard, Portfolio Holder for Climate, Ecological Change and Communities gave the following response:
“When deciding on how to spend the neighbourhood portion of the CIL, the Council must do so within the statutory provisions of the CIL Regulations 2010 and its underpinning Planning Practice Guidance (PPG). The neighbourhood portion of CIL must be spent in accordance with the statutory criteria set out in Regulation 59F and Paragraph 73 of the PPG as summarized below.
Regulation 59F of the CIL Regulations states: “…the charging authority (i.e. Exeter City Council) may use the CIL…to support the development of the relevant area by funding-
(a) the provision, improvement, replacement, operation or maintenance of infrastructure; or
(b) anything else that is concerned with addressing the demands that development places on an area.”
Providing core funding for Citizens Advice Exeter does not meet these criteria.
The consultation proposed for next year on how the Council proposes to spend the neighbourhood portion of the CIL has not yet been planned in detail but all residents and other stakeholders, particularly from the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector will be encouraged to participate.”
In a supplementary question FW asked why Citizen’s Advice didn’t meet the criteria and why the Council is prioritising Wellbeing Exeter over Citizen’s Advice? The Portfolio Holder stated that the criteria was bound by strict, specific regulation and Citizen’s Advice did not qualify but Wellbeing Exeter showed positive impact on community activity.
2. Question from Mr N
Without some core funding from the Council, Citizen’s Advice is likely to close. Residents, assuming entitlement to free advice, will approach councillors. Where will councillors send 6000 people annually expecting advice on issues including employment, immigration, neighbour disputes, family, health, tax and energy, as well as debt, benefits and housing?
Councillor Vizard, Portfolio Holder for Climate, Ecological Change and Communities gave the following response:
“The Council has not been a core funder of Citizens Advice Exeter for some years. The contract for Independent Information, Advice and Advocacy Services awarded to Citizens Advice Exeter through an open tendering process has come to an end and the council is no longer contracting for this type of service. Full details are contained in the committee report pack considered by Council in January 2024.
Alongside the services provided by Citizens Advice Exeter there are a wide range of online and in person advice services available locally and nationally.
Citizens Advice Exeter have reported to Customer Focus Scrutiny that, although this is difficult work, they have a fund-raising strategy and are in the process of applying for funding from a wide range of organisations. I hope they will be successful. The process will be followed for consultation and tender process. I agree that Citizen’s Advice provides incredible value to the city.”
In a supplementary question Mr N asked which organisations are able to give benefits advice as other organisations signpost to Citizen’s Advice? Councillor Vizard responded that there was acceptance that Citizen’s Advice had undertaken fantastic work and budget setting would be considered in the coming months.