020 8405 3552
4/3/10 Question time event
4/3/10 Question time event
Question Time Event
NEWS RELEASE
SUTTON AND MERTON CABx
host Question Time- style Event for Sutton and Merton Advice Alliance
Local advice alliance bring national politics to Sutton and Merton
On the 4th March 2010 the Sutton and Merton Advice Alliance held a question time-style event in the Sutton Council chamber. The BBC’s dynamic Liz Barclay chaired the cross-party panel while local people held their political representatives to account. The 100 strong audience asked questions that had not been revealed to the panellists in advance ensuring headline grabbing moments. This was a unique opportunity to see first hand what the main political parties plan to bring to the table for Sutton and Merton residents from the more deprived parts of the community and the agencies trying to support them. The event was especially poignant in this time of economic difficulty and anticipated public and community sector funding cuts. The panel included Tom Brake MP (Liberal Democrats), Siobhain McDonagh MP (Labour), David Williams (Conservative) and Russell Humphreys (CEO Wimbledon Guild). Questions were submitted by audience members and selected by Liz Barclay and the Advice Alliance to cover hot election topics, national issues and advice related matters. The 100 strong audience was drawn from key community stake holders, advice alliance service users, staff and volunteers.
CONTACTS
Debbie Chapman, event organiser (Citizens Advice Bureau)
Office Hours contact: debbie.chapman@mertoncab.org.uk
020 8715 0678 Tuesdays & Thursdays
Out of office contact: e mail as above
07946 275 875
Additional Information for Editors:
The Sutton and Merton Advice Alliance was founded in July 09 to:
1 Improve access to relevant advice for our community by
- establishing the local advice needs and identifying gaps
- working together to ensure that no one is left behind.
2 Ensure a consistent quality of advice services by
- offering training, support and information for advice workers
- sharing expertise and good practice
- promoting consistent quality assurance standards.
3 Influence funders, policy makers and other stake holders by
- spotting trends in local problems and supporting this with statistical evidence
- using that evidence to bring problems to the attention of those with the power to make changes
- promoting the benefit of advice services – by feeding back the outcomes of our work – both financial and social
- identifying and publicising funding opportunities
- encouraging other agencies to tell us how our work can help theirs
- making sure our local community does not miss out in the commissioning process for funds
Membership
Membership is open to all advice giving agencies, voluntary and public sector bodies and related supporting agencies in the London Boroughs of Merton and Sutton.
