Action in time of recession

Bournemouth and Poole Local Strategic Partnerships

“A joint Response”: Partnership Actions in time of recession.

A Joint Perspective from Bournemouth and Poole Citizens Advice Bureaux.

Introduction

It is a truism to say that the advice sector has seen an increase in the demands being made upon its service in the present crisis. This short paper is a contribution to the wider discussions being made about how the LSPs in our towns can rise to any particular challenges this has created and hopefully may assist in our joint (and separate) discussions with GOSW about our LAA targets.

Some Statistics

We know that statistics can be used and indeed abused. We suggest though that these indicate an important trend. 

In the period from April 1st to December 31st 2007 Bournemouth Citizens Advice Bureau assisted 5544 clients.

In the same period in 2008 the Bureau assisted 6675 clients.

In that period in 2007 Poole Citizens Advice Bureau assisted 4869 clients and in 2008 5121 clients.

Further, the Bureaux are aware that there has been a significant increase in the number of people facing repossession.

The figure given by DCLG for Bournemouth is a 68% increase on the same period last year and although not as high for Poole it is nevertheless a concern at  23% .

The bureaux do note however that at the time the figures were released, there had been a computer problem in Poole and therefore some of the cases were issued from Bournemouth County Court although the cases themselves were heard in Poole. However, the significant high rise in both boroughs is to be noted.

Enquiry Types

Both bureaux note that there has been a gradual increase in the type of enquiry with which we deal. (It is important to note that all Citizens Advice Bureaux are obliged by our Membership of Citizens Advice requirements to use the same reporting procedures. This system is known as CASE.)

We do stress that during any period, the key issues are always roughly the same ones. However, it may help discussions to note the following.

At Bournemouth Citizens Advice Bureau for the quarter October to December 2008, the 4 main areas of enquiry type were:

Debt 38%                                           (36%)
Welfare Benefits 23%                         (19%)
Housing 10%                                       (8%)
Employment 10%                                 (9%)

(The brackets are for the same period in 2007)

Further to that, 2 key observations.

Within Bournemouth’s debt statistics it is shown that there was a 3% increase in advice on bankruptcy in the 08 quarter over 07.

And within the welfare benefits statistics an increase of  4% in enquiries about Job Seekers Allowance.

In Poole Citizens Advice Bureau the Oct-Dec quarter show that the four main enquiry areas were.

Debt  39%    (34%)
Welfare benefits  35%  (33%)
Housing  9%   (11%)
Employment 8%   (6%)

(again the brackets are for the same period in 2007)

Enquiries relating to personal bankruptcy remained at a similar level during this quarter but have risen significantly in the first few weeks of January 09.

A breakdown of the Employment  statistics in Poole also shows that much of the increase (approximately an additional 40 individuals) relate to dismissal and redundancy queries and these individuals also in many cases go on to discuss anticipated debt problems.

Conclusion

This is not a plea for the partnerships to provide additional resources to both bureaux to assist in coping with the increased demand, although we both recognise the need to address that, this paper is meant to be none other than a pointer to what is happening to our residents.

Both bureaux will continue to work separately and where possible collaboratively to address the issues.

P Martin Broad
Chief Executive
Citizens Advice Bournemouth

Richard Bristow
Bureau Manager
Poole Citizens Advice Bureau

January 2009 

For Dorset & Somerset Key Facts please see the downloadable file below:

Key Facts Briefing May 2009 (.pdf) (21 KB)
February Key Facts (.doc) (100 KB)

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