The successful partnership arrangement between Caerphilly County Citizens Advice Bureau and Caerphilly County Borough Council has been shortlisted for a major national award.
CCBC is a contender in the category of ‘Council partner of the year’ at the prestigious national Citizens Advice awards.
The awards were launched earlier this year to recognise the contribution that other organisations and individuals have made in supporting the CAB’s principle of fair treatment for all. The awards also coincide with the Citizens Advice service’s 70th anniversary celebrations which began on 4 September 2009.
“We are delighted to be shortlisted for this major award and feel this recognition reflects the excellent ongoing partnership between the two organisations,” said Cllr Lindsay Whittle, leader of CCBC . “The CAB provides an invaluable service in the community, often supporting some of our most vulnerable residents, so we will continue to work closely with the team and strengthen our partnership in the future.”
David Harker, Chief Executive of national charity Citizens Advice stated, “I welcome the work Caerphilly County Borough Council has done with the Caerphilly County CAB, both as a partner in the work we undertake and for its wider support of the voluntary sector.”
“Our work often brings us into contact with the most disadvantaged and hard to reach communities. This award honours the Council’s foresight to tap in to our knowledge in order to ensure that services really meet the needs of local residents.”
Offering advice from 3,300 locations across the country, the Citizens Advice service last year helped over 2 million people to solve 6 million problems. Nearly half the population has used a CAB at some point in their life meaning local bureaux have become part of the fabric of society.
Every Citizens Advice Bureau is a registered charity and over 21,000 of the people involved in the service are trained volunteers.
Manager of Caerphilly County Citizens Advice Bureau, Simon Ellington, said, “Everyone at the bureau would like to congratulate the local council on the nomination. Since the start of the recession we have seen unprecedented numbers through our doors, and we could not have continued to provide this invaluable service if it wasn’t for the significant partnership we hold with the council”.
The awards will be presented on the evening of 19 January 2010 during a gala dinner at The Dorchester Hotel in London.
