The report sets out the process for re-commissioning advice services linking the required outcomes to those in the Financial Inclusion Strategy.

On 10 September 2014, the City Executive Board resolved that the identification of the priority area to be included in the service specification together with the associated outcomes and measures are delegated to the portfolio holder for Customer Services and Social Inclusion and the Head of Customer Services to agree with the commissioned advice agencies prior to 1 October 2014.

The City Council and Advice Organisations have agreed that the priority area to focus on during 2015-16 will be Debt. It was further agreed that the issue of debt includes supporting people to manage their money, and helping them maximise their income.

The advice sector agreed that debt issues account for a significant proportion of their case load.  In addition, this is reinforced by the fact that Debt and Income are major themes in the Council’s Financial Inclusion Strategy).

The Advice Sector could have chosen other categories of customer enquiries, but, recognise that debt issues account for a significant proportion of their caseload.

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