Consultation

Initial findings from the consultation have been considered by the Health, Social Care and Welfare Reform Scrutiny Board (5) Welfare Reform sub-group. A briefing note has been submitted to Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee.

The issue is now due to be discussed at Cabinet in August 2013.

Advice Services Review: Consultation on new proposals for Council funded advice provision

During 2011/12 a fundamental service review commenced, looking at Advice Services in Coventry. Advice Services for the purposes of this review have been defined as:

‘information, advice and where necessary, representation on matters relating to social welfare law covering areas such as welfare benefits, debt, money matters and housing, community care, immigration and asylum, and employment’.

Coventry has a mix of delivery access points for advice services that have grown organically in response to need. Some advice is provided directly by the council but the majority of the service is provided by voluntary sector organisations.

What is being proposed – The refreshed advice delivery framework

Earlier in 2012, the Council hosted a series of workshops [with current advice providers and stakeholders] that culminated in the development of a basic blueprint for a new advice delivery framework.  This new framework maximises front line delivery (the number of available advisers) by re-routing funds from out of buildings and overheads and into provision of advisers. 

The framework also looks at supporting people to “self-help” through better use of IT systems and accessible hardware (i.e. phones and computers).

Local organisations, stakeholders and residents are being invited to read the full consultation document and detailed Equality Impact Assessment and to give their views on the proposals via the online survey. Comments received will be considered and, where appropriate, will inform changes to the proposed advice delivery framework.  For those who prefer, paper copies of the documents are available at all city libraries and at the Council House reception.

This consultation ran from 15^th January to 21^st March 2013. THE CONSULTATION IS NOW CLOSED

Full detailed design for the new advice delivery framework is to be agreed by April 2013 and implementation will take place during a following transitional year to ensure customers receive continuity of service with minimal disruption.

Should you wish to speak to someone about this consultation, please contact:

June Morley

Community Connections Coordinator

Neighbourhood Action - New Communities

City Services and Development Directorate, Coventry City Council

Moat House Leisure and Neighbourhood Centre

Winston Avenue

Coventry,

CV2 1EA

Email: june.morley@coventry.gov.uk

Telephone: 024 7678 6173