Minutes of Forum meeting - Bedfordshire Advice Forum

Minutes of Forum meeting
19th June 2014
Advice Hub, Bedford CAB, St Paul’s Square, Bedford
Present:
Fiona McLeod (Chair)
Brian Cunningham (Vice-Chair)
Len Simkins (Secretary)
Karen Armstrong
Jon Clingan
Mick Dillon
Sarah Dove
Michael Ghulam-Qadir
Luisa Hatcher
Justine Hunt
Bryden Keenan
Sandra Pearce
Lynne Powell
Paulette Rennie
Elliott Stephenson
Martin Trinder
Sam Trussell
Ann Whitmore
Jane Orosa (Minutes)
Money Advice at St Andrew’s
BRASS
AdviceUK
Luton Law Centre
Carers in Bedfordshire
Disability Resource Centre
Bromford
BPHA - Money Advice Team
Bromford
BRCC
BRASS
Pohwer
Bedford Credit Union
Bedford Community Self Help Group
Aragon Housing Association
CVS
Age UK Bedfordshire
Bedford Salvation Army - Debt Advice Service
Infotrain
Apologies
Annette Pacey (Treasurer)
Alison Baggott
Norma Bartlett
Georgia Bowers
Noor D’Agostino
Lorraine Gunther
Zara Hamer
Jenny Hedges
Trevor Moisey
Sherone Phillips
Jacqueline Price
Peter Rayner
Paul Standbrook
David Verney
Daniela Vuolo
David Wood
BPHA
Bedford Borough Council – Housing Options
SSAFA
Bedford Borough Libraries
Aldwyck Housing Group
Bedford CAB
CAN
Mid Beds CAB
Rutland Road Church
AdviceCentral
Tax Advice for Older People
BPHA
Bedford Advice Network
Advice Bedfordshire
Central Bedfordshire Libraries
Leighton Linslade CAB
The Forum meeting was held immediately after the BAF AGM.
A presentation was made to Len Simkins to thank him for his work as BAF Secretary and meeting
facilitator over the last 10 years.
Item
Topic
Details
1
Minutes of last Forum
meeting (6th March 2014)
and matters arising
The minutes of the last Forum meeting were agreed with the
following correction. Justine Hunt confirmed that the wording at
point 4.2 should read that funding for BRCC’s “Village Agents’
Scheme” in urban areas has now run out, rather than “Village
Care Scheme”.
There were no matters arising.
Action
2
Information Exchange
2.1
CVS
Martin Trinder explained that the CVS produces a regular email
update to 700 organisations and is happy to take contributions
from BAF members in order to disseminate information.
2.2
Luton Law Centre
Karen Armstrong informed attendees that the Law Centre had
telephone advice lines for assistance with welfare reform issues,
community care, housing and immigration. It also deals with
tribunal appeals and comes to Bedford CAB on Thursdays to
assist with housing issues. The advice lines are not restricted to
clients and agencies in Luton – so advisers (and clients) in
Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire can use them.
2.3
Bromford
Luisa Hatcher explained that Bromford provides free support
and advice in Central Bedfordshire to people over 16 and at risk
of losing their homes. It aims to increase the independent living
skills of vulnerable people to prevent homelessness. Leaflets
were distributed outlining the services provided.
2.4
Age UK Bedfordshire
Sam Trussell introduced herself as the new Information and
Advice Service Manager. Sam outlined some of Age UK’s
services: a solicitor is available for 15 minutes advice to clients
once a month; their welfare service provides home help,
cleaning, shopping, etc; a pilot service for hospital discharge
patients in Central Bedfordshire provides a support service for
91 days after an elderly person has left hospital. Sam will
circulate a publicity leaflet for this service
2.5
Bedford Community Self Help
Group
Paulette Rennie talked about the Group’s work with carers, the
Caribbean and Eastern European communities, and the general
signposting work it does. They had recently worked with
Bedford Council to produce a short film to increase awareness
of Alzheimer’s Disease.
2.6
Powher
Sandra Pearce is Emma Robinson’s replacement at Powher.
She explained the organisation’s focus on disability issues. She
has also taken on some work on mental health issues and hate
crime. She will forward publicity leaflets to Len for circulation.
2.7
BPHA
Michael Ghulam-Qadir talked about the benefits and debt advice
that is given to tenants by BPHA’s Money Advice Team.
2.8
Disability Resource Centre
Mick Dillon outlined DRC’s activities in respect of disability
equipment, its Carers’ Project in Luton, its IT project, and its
work relating to hate crime. The DRC has also won an award of
funding for disability sport over the next three years.
2.9
Carers in Bedfordshire
Jon Clingan outlined the organisation’s work on welfare rights,
one-to-one support for carers, and carers’ cafes.
2.10
Salvation Army
Ann Whitmore confirmed that their new Woolpack Hub building
was now open. In the Hub there is a café, sports facilities,
space for displays and leaflets, and a meeting room for hire.
The Debt Advice Service is able to provide free budgeting and
money management skills.
2.11
Bedford Credit Union
Lynne Powell is the new manager at BCU. They are working
hard to increase awareness of their services in Bedford Borough
and Central Beds. (old Mid Beds area). They are also in
discussions with a Luton credit union about services in the old
South Beds area. BCU aims to increase the numbers of people
saving through payroll deductions. It is also looking at extending
its common bond to allow BPHA tenants in other areas to join.
Sam
2.12
BRCC
Justine Hunt is Team Leader for the Village Agents Scheme.
Through the “Just Ask” project, agents are available to signpost
clients to specialists if they are not able to help directly. Each
agent has been provided with an up-to-date tablet to facilitate
their work. A new project, “Wheels in Motion” has been initiated
with the aim of recruiting voluntary drivers in rural areas. A
“good neighbour group” of volunteers to help the vulnerable
people is also being coordinated. There is also a similar network
in Sandy and activity is also building up Leighton Buzzard.
2.13
Aragon HA
Elliott Stephenson explained that the Welfare Reform Team
assists Aragon tenants with benefits advice, tribunals, budgeting
and training. They also work with Jobcentre Plus to help clients
meet jobseeking objectives that have been set. Aragon has just
received an Adult Learning Partnership award for its IT training.
2.14
Money Advice at St Andrew’s
Fiona explained that they provide debt advice at St Andrew’s
Church on Thursdays and also at the Advice Hub. There is also
potential to make home visits. However, it is a concern that
there a high number of missed appointments by clients.
2.15
Payday Loans Watch Group
Len announced that a new campaigning group had been formed
in Bedford Borough to highlight the problems associated with
high interest loans. A number of BAF members are involved.
3
Update on current BAF
activities
Len distributed an update report and went through BAF’s current
activities and projects.
BAF has 2 new members (Aldwyck Housing Group & Bromford).
Len welcomed Luisa and Sarah from Bromford to the meeting.
There are still places on the remaining courses on BAF’s
summer training programme – covering Welfare Reform, ESA
and an Introduction to Debt Advice. The first course
th
(Introduction to Benefits) had taken place on 18 June and
feedback had been positive.
Fiona urged members to make sure their agency was included
in the online Advice Directory. www.bedsadvicedirectory.org.uk
All
All
th
The next Benefits Network meeting will be on 25 September in
Bedford. Elliott Stephenson has volunteered to chair the
Network.
4
Future facilitation and
administration of BAF
Elliott
Len (and Infotrain) will be stepping down from facilitating the
BAF meetings at the end of June. A new facilitator is therefore
needed for future meetings. BAF had encouraged members to
step forward to take over the facilitation services but there was
a very limited response.
David Wood (Leighton Linslade CAB) had kindly volunteered to
update the BAF website and the Advice Directory for no fee.
This offer has been accepted.
To ensure that BAF’s other core services are effectively
facilitated the Steering Group had approached the CVS for
some administrative support. Len pointed out the positive
potential of a link with the CVS. Martin Trinder stated that CVS
has a track record of support and facilitation in the sector and
already hosts VOCypf, the local voluntary sector network in the
children’s sector. CVS has staff capable of fulfilling all of BAF’s
support requirements. Further discussions will take place
between Martin and Fiona on the practicalities of a working
relationship. One of the first tasks will be to manage BAF’s
membership renewals.
There were no objections to the Steering Group’s proposals.
David
Martin
Fiona
5
Plans for BAF in 2014/15
Len had outlined the year’s plans for BAF in his update report.
He went through BAF’s meeting schedule and ongoing activities
for the coming year.
Although there will be new arrangements for BAF’s core
services, Len confirmed that Infotrain can continue to provide
support for the Advice Planning Board meetings (Central
Bedfordshire) and the Bedfordshire Benefits Network meetings
this year.
Central Bedfordshire Council has agreed to provide £1,000
towards BAF’s core running costs. As part to this agreement,
one of BAF’s meetings will be held in Central Bedfordshire. If
this funding continues, one meeting a year could be held in
Central Beds. Aragon HA and Disability Resource Centre
were suggested as possible future venues.
Although there is enough money to pay for BAF’s core
services and projects in 2014/15, BAF will have very limited
funds by the end of the year.
6
Any other business
6.1
Advice Bedfordshire
6.2
The AGM for Advice Bedfordshire (BAF’s trading company)
was held before today’s BAF meetings. Len will put the
Company’s Annual Report and AGM minutes on BAF’s
website. The company is in a healthy financial position.
Len
Sherone Phillips of AdviceCentral had sent in some
information about the new Care Act and the requirement for
local authorities to provide effective information and advice
services. Sherone offered to give a presentation on this at the
next BAF meeting.
Care Act
6.3
Bedford Credit Union
BCU needs a secretary to take minutes at its meetings. Lynne
Powell will forward details of this work to Len for circulation.
7
Date of next Forum meeting
Venue will be Aragon Housing Association in Ampthill.
th
Provisional date is 16 October.
rd
NB After the meeting this date was changed to Thursday 23
October. 2.00pm – 4.00pm.
Documents discussed at this meeting can be found at www.bedsadviceforum.org.uk
BAF meetings are organised by
Facilitated by
Sherone
Lynne
Len

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