FAQ for Staff and Volunteers from the Shadow Board

This is a quick guide to help you with answering questions when talking to funders, partners and supporters. It is important that we reassure all our key stakeholders that we will continue to provide support for the communities we currently work in, and that this merger is not a cost saving exercises but an opportunity for us to become more effective and agile in the ever-changing environment which we operate in.

We ask when you are representing your Citizens Advice that you approach this conversation in a positive outlook and reassure them that we will continue to provide the outstanding services, and that we are excited about the future opportunities this merger will bring.

If you are asked a question which does not appear in the list below, please speak with your CEO for guidance and share the question with the shadow board so we can update this guide for everyone.

Contents

Questions

Why are you merging with the other Citizens Advice?

The merger is partly in response to the unification of the four Somerset district councils into a single unitary authority. As the local councils are our principal funders for the local Citizens Advice service, we are ensuring we will be in-line with their future funding opportunities, and they will have one key point of contact.

It is also felt that with the ever changing social and economic environment we wanted to ensure that collectively we can be more agile in our responses to local needs, while ensuring that we create a stronger and more sustainable foundation to run our services from.

We believe that by joining together we will be in an improved position to attract funding and deliver projects across a wider front. There will also be cost advantages where we can negotiate better deals with suppliers as one organisation, not as four separate organisations. Ensuring more of our funding can go to the effective delivery of our services. Increasing the depth of the specialist support that it can provide in a period when so many are suffering from the cost-of-living crisis.

Why is only four of the five Somerset based Citizens Advice Merging?

This opportunity to join together was first explored by all local citizens advice based in Somerset; however, West Somerset Citizens Advice felt that for them and the communities that they support this was not the right approach for them.

This does not mean we will not continue to work closely with West Somerset Citizens Advice. We already work closely on projects which support individuals living across Somerset such as our Advice Line and will continue to look for opportunities to work together in the future.

Will you continue to provide focus support for Mendip/ Taunton/Sedgemoor/ South Somerset?

[We /All four citizens’ advice] will continue to work within [our/their] communities which [we/they] already operate and will look to continue to do so when our merger is complete. We are very much aware that the needs of each community in the four different areas will vary, and we will continue to provide specialist support and advice which is right for each area.

We currently do not plan to close any of our local offices or hubs and will ensure that there is a local presence in person and remotely.  By joining together, however, will enable us to explore additional ways to enhance our current offer and provide access to our service.

Will you continue any existing project work which is focused in our area?

Yes, we will continue to work on already funded projects which have been agreed by the individual citizen’s advice prior to merger. All project work will be carried out into the new organisation.

Will you continue to apply to us for local funding?

Yes, for new future projects, we will continue to look for and apply to funding opportunities which will support the local communities and tailor our applications to focus areas where required.

We already receive some funding from Town and Parish Councils, and hope to continue to do so moving forward. These councils are important to us, as they know the local needs and we want to work with them to ensure all residents in those towns and villages can access to our invaluable service when they need it.

Many local organisations and business want to support their local communities, and we have worked successfully in the past with them on achieving this. We do not see this part of our funding model changing; as it is essential, we pivot to the needs to the communities we support and support them.

Will you continue to research and lead on campaigns for our areas?

Yes, a key part of our work is based on the research and leading on local campaigns. We will continue to do research into the needs of the communities we support, identifying the areas of need and future work we will be planning to do. Alongside informing the new formed single unitary authority, town and parish councils and other potential funders, of the needs of those they support.

We believe it will also give us a stronger voice, as we will become the experts in Somerset representing multiple different communities and the impact, they feel from the ever-changing economic environment.

Does this mean that your Citizens Advice is in financial trouble?

No, we are not, and the other three citizen’s advice are not in financial trouble. We operate at a high standard to ensure that our finances are managed appropriately and that the funding goes where it is required.

We believe that by coming together, we will be in an even stronger position. Enabling us to be more strategic in how we allocation of funding and to adapt our approaches when required.

Have you notified the charity commission/national citizens’ advice?

Yes, we have notified the Charity Commission and National Citizens Advice of our intentions and reasons for the merge. They are supporting us with this venture, to ensure we comply with all legal requirements and that we continue to provide the best service to our communities.

Was this a quick decision, and did your citizens advice have a say in this?

No, this project has taken 2 years to explore in full, identifying both the opportunities and potential risks.  This was taken to each citizen’s advice trustee board and their CEO for input. Each citizens advice trustee boards considered the papers presented to them about the merger, how it impacts their services and communities. They voted independently to join this venture.

Are you the first group of Citizen Advice to merge?

No, across the country there are many examples of local citizen’s advice merging and for a verity of different reasons. We have looked at the different approaches and how their mergers have impacted the service delivery, staff and communities they support. These have helped to inform our research into merging and taken learning’s from them. However, we do intend to ensure that the new organisation does reflect and is tailored to Somerset’s needs.