Decision details

(1)        That the significant impact of the recession on the number of cases dealt with by Epping Forest’s Citizen’s Advice Bureaux (CAB) and the CAB’s excellent response to the increased workload be recognised and, in giving its support, the Council continues to work alongside the CAB as it seeks additional resources, be they finance, staff, volunteers or premises, to ease the effects of that additional workload;

(2)        That an interest in volunteering and voluntary work be fostered by the Council through:

(a)        encouraging employees to become volunteers in their spare time (e.g. as part of the induction programme);

(b)        publicity in The Forester magazine; and

(c)        encouraging other major employers in the District to promote the benefits of voluntary work;

(3)        That voluntary work also be promoted through the use of information available at suitable locations, including Council Offices and Job Centre Plus;

(4)        That the need for more spacious facilities, which also provide greater confidentiality, for interviewing benefits claimants be addressed as a matter of urgency through the Customer Transformation Programme or another Civic Offices work programme;

(5)        That the vital role being carried out by Credit Unions during the current economic recession be recognised and supported by the Council;

(6)        That the work being carried out by Essex Savers in the District also be supported by the Council and, in giving encouragement to the extension of its operation to the more outlying rural areas, be assisted by publicising the role of Essex Savers internally and through other major employers in the District; and

(7)        That the Local Strategic Partnership be congratulated on its successful bid to the Future Job Fund for the creation of jobs within the District.