Press Release

14 July 2023

Council continues support for Citizen Advice

Fareham Borough Council has awarded Citizen Advice Fareham a new three-year Service Level Agreement (SLA) to help them continue to offer residents free, impartial, and independent advice, information and guidance on a wide range of subjects.

Citizens Advice Fareham helped more than 2,801 residents with over 8,982 issues during 2022, a significant increase from the 1,727 they helped in the previous year. The team of advisers see around 60 residents each week on topics such as money issues, advice on benefits and tax credits, housing matters and residents needing assistance with accessing charitable support and food banks.  The team also undertook 80 home visits between January-December 2022.

To meet this significant rise in demand, Fareham Borough Council has increased the SLA by £15,000 per year for the next three years to £135,000 per year.

Executive Member for Leisure and Community at Fareham Borough Council, Councillor Sue Walker said: “Demand for Citizen Advice increased hugely in the aftermath of Covid-19 and in response to the current Cost of Living crisis. This additional funding will ensure that Fareham residents will not need to wait longer to see an adviser and access the help they need to resolve their issues. Citizens Advice do an amazing job and I am delighted to extend this SLA for the next three years.”

Chief Officer of Citizens Advice Fareham, Biddy Mayo, added: “We are delighted to have this additional funding to help us continue to offer our vital services, used by so many residents across Fareham. Due to additional successful funding from The National Lottery, Community Fund, we can also restart our outreach sessions in Stubbington, Fareham North-West, Portchester and Titchfield Common, which we had to pause due to financial constraints”

You can find more information on Citizens Advice Fareham, including opening hours and information about outreach sessions at https://public.citafareham.org

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

The additional £15,000 per year has been awarded to Citizens Advice Fareham for three years only, in order to help them manage the backlog of enquiries generated as a result of Covid-19 and the cost of living crisis. The SLA will revert back to the original funding levels after three years.

For further information contact:

Customer Enquiries

Tel: 01329 236100
Email: customerservicecentre@fareham.gov.uk

Media Enquiries

The Communications Team
Tel: 01329 824310
Email: publicity@fareham.gov.uk
Fax: 01329 550576

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