Radipole residents’ community meeting

Local councillors, the community police officer, fire officers representatives of community organisations and guest speaker, Deborah Ross of the Citizens’ Advice Bureau all contributed to a very interesting evening.

Leading the Pact section, CPSO Clive Joyner reported on issues previously raised and actions taken. Incidents of petty crimes had been addressed and progress made in identifying the culprits. Car damage, shed break-ins and burglary were the main offences and the advice is to keep properties secure. Help and support is available on request from the Safer Neighbourhoods Team. Unofficial camping on land near to Lodmoor had been addressed, with tents and equipment removed.

Issues of concern for attention this time were identified as broken glass and dog mess on certain footways, removal of remaining tents at unauthorised camp sites and fly tipping at various places Headline speaker, Deborah Ross, is Training Supervisor for the Citizens’ Advice Bureau. She spoke about its scope and functions.

Weymouth’s bureau is small but busy, with twenty part time volunteers handling some 12,000 extra cases, many of which are financial queries. The aim is to provide unbiased, independent advice, seeking to improve public services and help in their transactions with members of the public.

Housing advice is another problem area where help is required in negotiating the complex rules and regulations.

For the majority of problems dealt with, advisors consult the website www.adviceguide.org, which is available to all, but there is also a detailed system for more complex cases, available only to CAB advisors. The training for volunteer advisors, who come from the widest range of backgrounds, takes twelve weeks and attendance at courses is a necessary part of the commitment. The bureau is open for drop-in clients each weekday mornings.

Initial consultations or “gateway” sessions last for ten minutes, but longer subsequent or on-going advice is available.