Agenda item

To receive a presentation by Môn CF.

The Director of Social Services introduced the presentations under this and the following item which were both linked to the Council’s Tackling Poverty Strategic Plan 2024 to 2029. The plan is underpinned by six key priority areas for action the delivery of which will be achieved through partnership working and collaboration with amongst others, Môn CF and Citizens Advice.

The Head of Housing Services referred to tackling poverty related work within the Council of which an essential part is helping Anglesey’s residents access benefits and entitlements. The Council has a Welfare Rights Team based at the J E O’Toole Centre in Holyhead which serves the whole of the Island. The centre was accessed by approximately 5,400 residents in the year from April 2023 to March 2024 of whom 1,900 were homeowners, 1,800 were Council tenants and 780 were private tenants. In terms of the age profile of those seeking the service’s help and support, in the region of 60% were aged 55 and over, 10% were in the 25 to 34 age range, 13% were in the 35 to 44 age range and 14% were in the 45 to 54 age range. The centre undertakes a significant amount of work in assisting individuals to secure the benefits and support to which they may be entitled and in 2023/24 the centre successfully realised a financial gain of approximately £5.7m for those seeking its help thereby contributing towards alleviating financial hardship for those households.

Rita Radcliffe, Chief Executive of Môn Communities Forward was welcomed to the meeting by the Chair and invited to provide an overview of the organisation’s work.

Ms Radclife outlined the background to Môn CF as a local charity owned by the community and operating on Anglesey with 45 staff currently and a turnover of £4m per annum. The charity has offices in Amlwch, Holyhead and Menai Bridge and a new office opening in Llangefni. Môn CF is funded from several sources including the Council and helps over 600 individuals on the Island at any one time with employment support, business support and training which together with schools and young people, and regenerating towns through property ownership are the organisation’s strategic priorities. The organisation collaborates with and has links to a range of partners including several Council departments and is open to working with all the Council’s services on projects where it deems Môn CF’s input could add value.  Ms Radcliffe gave an overview of the range of employment and business support which Môn CF provides along with the data as regards engagements and outcomes in 2023/24 and 2024/25 (April to August). This includes help for the unemployed to prepare them for the world of work, help for those already in work to improve their circumstances, support with driving lessons and transport and childcare costs, preparing people for work through a wide range of training courses, support for individuals wanting to start their own businesses, practical help for local employers with their recruitment processes and grants as well as involvement with job fairs. Môn CF owns 11 properties which are a mix of offices, commercial properties, and residential properties and through its property programme seeks to be a landlord with a social conscience meaning fair rents and buildings of high quality which are regularly maintained.

The Committee expressed its appreciation of the presentation given by the Chief Executive of Môn CF and arising from the information provided, the following were points of discussion by members –

·      Whether Môn CF has seen any changes in demand in the type of support which individuals need in the last few years.

·      The kind of help and assistance which people who are in work most frequently ask for.

·      Whether given the current economic climate and cost of living crisis, Môn CF is confident that it can continue to provide the range of support and services it provides at present or whether it envisages having to make reductions in some areas.

·      Given historically there has been a perception of Môn CF as predominantly serving the Holyhead area, is the organisation able to provide assurance that it delivers support and services for people across the Island.

·      What further support and services could Môn CF provide were it to have additional resources at its disposal.

·      Whether the organisation has specifically tailored programmes either currently or planned for people aged 50 or 60 wanting to change careers or to retire and whether older people who seek work are doing so willingly or because they have to make ends meet.

·      Where could collaboration with the Isle of Anglesey County Council and others improve.

·      The criteria which Môn CF uses to assess need when individuals ask for support for example with driving lessons.

·      The arrangements for supporting residents in the Aethwy ward once the new office in Llangefni is established particularly as regards non-driving individuals and given the reduction in bus services. It was noted that the move away from Menai Bridge to Llangefni will mean the loss of a source of support and assistance for the residents of this part of Anglesey.

·      The arrangements for providing help and support for young people in the 18 to 25 age group any barriers to provision.

·      The governance arrangements for Môn CF and whether the trustees have the expertise to scrutinise the organisation appropriately.

The Chief Executive of Môn CF in responding to the issues raised by the Committee, advised as follows –

·      That whereas previously the support provided was focused on mentoring people into work and on working with jobless households and with Communities for Work, it is now more diverse and holistic with individuals being helped with many aspects. Môn CF is also more involved with training which is now very specific to individual need and with employers and work placements and the related administrative/HR tasks and it also helps facilitate an appropriate fit between the person looking for work and the employer/job. The landscape has changed and among the changes is an increase in people in work accessing the services of Môn CF.

·      That people who are in work come to Môn CF for assistance in changing their circumstances be that by securing additional hours to supplement their pay, by securing a promotion, or by finding employment closer to home. Môn CF helps them find a solution to improve their circumstances including by upskilling if no inhouse training is available in their current employment. Môn CF’s driving programme is an in-work support that has been much in demand in the last two years and gives those in work wanting to improve their circumstances more options including jobs that are based further afield. Môn CF has also experienced a greater call for bespoke training which includes helping individuals obtain appropriate licences/certification.

The Committee noted the importance of Môn CF’s driving programme in light of the reduction in bus services on Anglesey.

The Chief Executive in this context highlighted that a number of essential bus routes have been withdrawn on the Island leaving some communities without a bus service. While the Council is seeking to arrange a community provision in those areas there may be some individuals in the communities so affected who are finding it difficult to get to work and who might be interested in taking advantage of Môn CF’s driving programme. He suggested that there could be a benefit in the Council exploring this issue further in collaboration with Môn CF.

·      While Môn CF does not have plans to withdraw any of its services as there is a proven need for them, how much it can deliver depends on securing the funding to enable continued provision. The organisation’s funding for its work with young people recently changed thereby curtailing its programme for 16- to 19-year-olds although an alternative source of funding was found to enable the programme to continue for a year while Môn CF sought a more permanent solution. As with other third sector organisations, Môn CF is facing financial challenges and uncertainty; the charity’s Board of Trustees has committed some of its reserves to support the delivery of services while further funding and income generation options are explored.

·      That the Committee could be provided with data to show where Môn CF’s participants are based and the numbers attending its offices which would also illustrate the rationale for the location of those offices with the Amlwch office being the busiest. Establishing an office in Llangefni will provide an avenue into more areas. Môn CF would also like to undertake more outreach work in communities across the Island which would further improve accessibility.

·      Were it to have additional resources, Môn CF would be able to help more people. Efforts are made to keep caseloads manageable but the demand is high. Additional resources would allow Môn CF to undertake more work with young people, to extend its training offer to more places along with its driving programme and to do more licensing work which has proven valuable in helping many individuals gain employment and has a high conversion rate i.e. Môn CF would do more of what it is doing already which is supporting people in a way that really helps them. 

·      While Môn CF does not offer specific age-related programmes it has seen a rise in the number of older people accessing its services many of whom wish to return to work to supplement their pensions. All the services which Môn CF offers are available to all clients regardless of age. Older people access Môn CF both because they are looking for additional income and/or because they want something to do that would interest them.

·      That collaboration could improve were partner organisations to contact Môn CF with their ideas, programmes, or initiatives to ascertain whether it is able to provide support and assistance and whether its collaboration could add value. Representation on groups and committees would also be helpful in keeping organisations such as Môn CF informed and involved.

·      That clients seeking access to the driving programme would in their first meeting demonstrate how being able to drive would help them. Their circumstances would be examined and scored. The mentor to which they are assigned would draw up a rationale and present it to the driving programme project manager. If the client meets most of the criteria and can show a commitment to gaining a driving licence and that it would improve their circumstances as a result e.g. in enabling them to obtain more hours if they are on a minimum wage, then they would be supported.

·      That the feasibility study undertaken in relation to establishing an office in Llangefni showed that the numbers in Menai Bridge were low in comparison with those in Llangefni and the surrounding area. As part of the study ways in which participants could continue to access the service were considered including bus routes and it was concluded that there were sufficient ways of accessing Môn CF services either in Llangefni, Amlwch, or virtually. Office space was also a factor in establishing a presence in Llangefni.

·      That Môn CF continues to work with young people 18 to 25 years old and funds work placements for them. The Chief Executive of Môn CF referred to changes to the programme and funding arrangements for the support provided for this age group and clarified current provision.

·      That Môn CF’s Board of Trustees comprises of members with a good mix of knowledge, skills, and expertise.

A member of the committee expressed concern and sadness about the effects of poverty on communities and individuals across the Island and acknowledged the excellent work which advice and support organisations such as Môn CF and Citizens Advice carry out in assisting those who come to them for help. He referred to the challenging economic circumstances, and ongoing cost of living crisis and specifically to the withdrawal of the winter fuel allowance for many pensioners. He raised questions about what the Council and partner organisations are doing practically to help those eligible for pension credit but who are not claiming it to access this additional financial support and he suggested that meetings should be held across the Island to spread the word, to promote the availability of the benefit and to help individuals apply for it to maximise uptake and help alleviate the hardship that many pensioners will face in the coming winter months.

Whilst the Chief Executive of Môn CF confirmed that she would be happy with other partner organisations to be involved in such an endeavour she highlighted that funding would be required to support the initiative.

The Chief Executive advised that benefits can be a complex area and that many people for different reasons are reluctant to come forward to seek help or claim extra allowances for which they may be eligible. A publicity campaign or roadshow would help some but not all pensioners, many of whom might not want to be seen publicly asking for financial help. The Chief Executive confirmed that he would discuss the issue internally initially with the Head of Housing Services and the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer and thereafter with partner organisations to examine what can be done bearing in mind also that the Council is potentially facing a £12m budget shortfall in 2025/26. He highlighted that work has been going on to ensure that individuals realise their entitlements e.g. the use of revenue and benefit information to identify individuals at risk of going into debt because of poverty and to help them to access benefits or by other means is being considered. However, a discreet approach on an individual or household basis can sometimes be more appropriate and as effective.

Cara Jones, Môn Citizens Advice highlighted that while there is outreach provision across the Island to help with Pension Credit applications which is facilitated by the Council, many eligible pensioners do not come forward to take advantage of the help on offer.

The Committee thanked the Chief Executive of Môn CF for her time and presentation and acknowledged the excellent work and support provided by the organisation.

Actions agreed –

·      Officers in collaboration with Môn CF to investigate whether there are individuals in communities where the bus service has been withdrawn who would benefit from Môn CF’s driving programme.

·      The Chief Executive in consultation with the Director of Function (Resources)/ Section 15 Officer and the Head of Housing Services to examine ways in which the Council both of itself and acting in collaboration with its partners, can further help individuals where eligible, realise pension credit and/or other entitlements.