Archived decisions
Hampshire County Council
Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 4
20 November 2003
Revenue Grant for New Forest Citizens' Advice Bureaux
Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage
Contact: Yinnon Ezra Ext: 5402
1. Summary
1.1 The following decisions are sought:
i) That a revenue grant of £9,000 be made to New Forest Citizens' Advice Bureaux in support of information technology requirements.
ii) That a pilot project be undertaken with the Library Service to assess the possibility of using mobile libraries as outreach sources for Citizen Advice Bureaux
2. Reason
To respond to a request from New Forest Citizens' Advice Bureaux for support for information technology equipment to meet E-Government objectives. A further grant of £5,000 is being requested from the Policy and Resources Executive Member.
3. Other options considered and rejected
Not applicable
4. Conflict of interest declared by the decision maker or a Member or Officer
consulted
None
5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee
Not applicable
6. Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent
Not applicable
Approved by: (signature) Date: (date of decision)
................................................... ................................
Councillor J. Waddington
Hampshire County Council
Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 4
20 November 2003
Revenue grant for New Forest Citizens' Advice Bureaux
Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage
Contact: Yinnon Ezra Ext: 5402
1. Introduction
1.1 New Forest Citizens' Advice Bureaux has sought a one-off grant to assist the delivery of a modern IT facility.
1.2 The Recreation and Heritage Department of Hampshire County Council, sees the Citizens' Advice Bureau as an integral partner in the delivery of information to the community. In some town centres Bureaux are either located, or in close proximity to libraries, and will be included or linked to Discovery Centres as they are introduced.
2. New Forest Citizens' Advice Bureaux
2.1 The New Forest Citizens' Advice Bureaux comprises a group of four bureaux namely New Forest North, (covering Rightwood and Totton), New Milton and District, Lymington, and Waterside Bureau. They therefore serve a wide area of the community.
3. Information Technology Equipment
3.1 Delivering increasing demands for help and information, together with the government requirement to meet `E-Government' objectives, means that information technology equipment must be acquired and maintained and is expected to cost £14,000. This will pay for twelve new computers for New Forest North, Waterside and Lymington Bureau. A one-off grant of £9,000 is sought from the Policy Development initiatives budget towards this.
4. Area of Benefit
4.1 Members of the public will benefit from improved IT access and facilities. Volunteers will benefit from using modern equipment to facilitate their work.
4.2 The need for IT equipment and software is driven by the requirement for participation in the E-government process and to implement links with the National Citizens' Advice Service.
4.3 The New Forest Citizens' Advice Bureaux are members of the National Citizens' Advice Service and work within its aims, principles and quality assurance standards. The Service provides free to all individuals in the community an impartial service of information, guidance and support.
5. Other Support
A one-off grant of £5,000 is being requested from the Policy and Resources Executive Member to meet the balance of the £14,000 required.
6. Local Member
Melville Kendal
7. Recommendation
That the one-off grant (£9,000) towards Information Technology equipment be approved.
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