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Resolution number MR/2017/150
MOVED
by Chairperson A Dalton, seconded by Member S Cattle:
That the Manurewa
Local Board:
a) approve
the Manurewa Local Board input to the Review of Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB)
services as follows:
i)
Current relationship: the relationship between Manurewa CAB and Manurewa Local Board
is positive. The relationship is reflected in the following ways:
·
the CAB meets
on a monthly basis with a board member
·
this time is
used to discuss the relationship with the board and any emerging issues
·
the CAB
manager attends the Manurewa Local Board business meeting on a monthly
basis
·
the CAB
attends the weekly homelessness meetings and has made a considerable
contribution to this forum
·
anecdotally
individual board members receive positive feedback from users of the CAB
service.
ii)
Value of the service: the monitoring figures provided
by Manurewa CAB reflect the immense and essential value of the service
provided. The board acknowledges the great work of the CAB manager in
achieving this. The CAB is doing the best it can with the resources available
to deliver outcomes that support the local area and local board objectives.
If the funding model worked more effectively the local bureau would be able
to serve more need.
iii)
Equity and Fairness: the current funding model is not effective in terms of
delivering what is required for Auckland and locally. The funding model does
not use up to date data. The board queried if ACABx receives funding from
sources other than Auckland Council. The kinds of factors that should be
considered in the funding of local bureaux to ensure fair and equitable
service distribution across Auckland Council should include:
·
deprivation
statistics
·
population
data, using most up to date census data
·
ethnicity
demographics – this recognises there are members of the community that
may need to use the service more than others
·
diversity of
languages
·
accessibility
·
range of
services provided
·
number of
sites - the Manurewa CAB wants to extend its service out to Clendon and the
board recognises some areas require more than one CAB
·
age
demographics.
iv)
Reporting: the types of information the board would like to receive when the Manurewa CAB is reporting includes:
·
content that
would assist the local board with decision making around policy, grants,
planning
·
any advocacy
the CAB finds itself having to undertake
·
more detail
about emerging trends
·
budgeting
services and how often the CAB is directing people for food parcels as it is
a missing link for the board in its planning – the information could be
broken down and provide more detail
·
legal
services enquiries as there is scope to link in with other services more
Currently monitoring information is provided to the link local
board member who in turn shares with the local board and Local Board Services
staff. There is a desire for the CAB to report to the whole board more
frequently, potentially on a 6 monthly basis both informally at workshops and
formally at business meetings.
v)
The role of Auckland CABx in relation to the local bureau: the board understands ACABx distributes funding to local CABs.
Each CAB has its own committee and chair, set out nationally, and the ACABx
brings all the chairs together once a month. The board noted it is
unsure of the value of ACABx distributing funding. ACABx is the governing
group for Auckland CABs and there is a relationship between the national CABx
and ACABx.
vi)
Aspirations for the future: the board noted the following as working
well in the local area:
·
the CAB
relationship with the local board is very effective, the enthusiasm of the
CAB staff is commendable and the manager goes above and beyond the job
description
·
Manurewa CAB
has aspirations to set up a satellite in Clendon as people from Clendon are
not coming to Manurewa and is looking at temporary premises in Clendon that
would enable it to establish need, with the option of using the Clendon
library space now being investigated.
vii) The
board noted the following as potential areas for change:
·
there is
scope for the local board to help more with building modification and
maintenance. For example, one issue is disability access to the meeting
rooms. Wheelchair users do not have access to the inside of the office so
meetings are held in the corridor. As an Auckland Council premise this
modification should be recognised by Auckland Council within an appropriate
renewals plan. There is also scope for increased involvement of the library
following the Libraries Reshape
·
as a result
of rough sleepers using the access lobby into the CAB an increased level of
cleaning was required. While this is now cleaned every morning the library
lobby and foyer do need to be cleaned more regularly. The lack of cleanliness
does not generate a sense of pride
·
there could
be further exploration of the CAB’s role in supporting young people.
Manurewa has a young population compared to the rest of Auckland. While young
people often know what they need in terms of support, they don’t
necessarily know where to access it. The CAB already has some younger
volunteers and some of the consultation for a youth space has involved the
CAB - from a service provision perspective. The CAB could also test if the
space and service is/feels youth friendly
·
the board
noted that the Manurewa Marae has a philosophy that spaces are provided where
all generations can interact – there is the potential for the CAB to
link with the Manurewa Youth Council and the marae to explore this further
·
recognition
needs to be given to future demand and future proofing – this needs to
be reflected in the budgeting and planning of the CAB and might include
exploring its model of delivery, reflecting on the use of online services,
and improvement of IT systems noting IT support is independent of the council
and impacts on the hours of work.
CARRIED
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