Council agrees to go out to tender for Wiltshire advice and support service

Wiltshire Council leaders have agreed to go out to tender for a five-year contract to continue providing, free, independent support and advice to residents in the county.

At a cabinet meeting this week, it was agreed to recommission, procure and implement the core and carers' elements of the Wiltshire Community Advice and Support Service for a minimum of five years, with the option to extend for an additional two years.

Currently a wide range of council service areas make daily referrals to Wiltshire Citizens Advice (WCA), the current provider, and the work has a huge impact on supporting residents to navigate the cost-of-living crisis with free, personalised and independent advice. WCA advice and information is via email, phone, online or in person in relation to a host of issues including benefits and tax credits, work and employee issues, debt, housing, discrimination and health. WCA also provides a carers service with dedicated resources for welfare benefit, debt and money management advice and support.

At a meeting this week the council agreed to go out to tender and recommission a citizens advice service focussing on core and carer. The new contract will support the council's business plan objective to understand communities and provide prevention and early intervention.

Currently WCA also provides financial support to refugees under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation programme. It also provides Wiltshire Money, which is a strategic framework for local organisations to co-ordinate their work, participate in training and develop partnerships and share lessons learn. Presently both services are being awarded directly to WCA.

Cllr Ian Blair Pilling, Cabinet Member for Public Health, said: "Part of the guiding themes of our business plan is to ensure we are working together, understanding communities, and helping tackle inequalities. We know there is a clear need for this free, independent advice to support residents to successfully manage the cost-of-living crisis, improve quality of life and wellbeing and provide a service to those who are in most need. Putting in place a contract which covers a substantial period will bring stability and mean we continue with this valuable service for years to come."