Council in talks on advice service
A citizens advice group says South Ayrshire residents must have “the same opportunities” as others to access help services.
The drive to create a support hub staffed by volunteers took a fresh twist this week.
Council chiefs, who had previously dismissed the idea out of hand, held talks with Citizens Advice Scotland ( CAS) to set out a “collective commitment”.
The authority has been under increasing pressure to give up its control over advice services.
But officials hit out at a group of Ayr- based campaigners who, they say, have no authority to call for the creation of a citizens’ advice bureau.
Derek Mitchell, chief executive of CAS, said: “I want to ensure that the people of South Ayrshire have the same opportunities as the vast majority of citizens across Scotland to access free, impartial and confidential quality advice across a broad range of issues to get the help and support they need.
“And I know that commitment is mirrored by the council.
“I was pleased to get a clearer understanding of the services the council currently provides and to discuss where there could be potential for this to be improved even further in conjunction with Citizens Advice services.
“My hope would be that we can establish a partnership that will allow the people of South Ayrshire to get the support and redress they need.”
A local campaign group has hit the headlines in recent months, claiming council bosses are losing six figures by running the advice service inhouse.
But council leader Douglas Campbell said: “I’m confident that our current provision, which was designed to meet the growing demand for advice and support in relation to the likes of budgeting, money and debt advice, benefits information, income maximisation and fuel poverty, does just that.
“However, we will never be complacent and it was certainly helpful to discuss the potential additional resourcing and support that could be progressed in conjunction with Citizens Advice Scotland.”