The following is a press release by Manchester City Council:
Manchester is set to launch the largest Community Legal Advice service in England and Wales
Residents hard hit by the recession are set to be given a £9m helping hand with the development of six new community advice centres.
Manchester City Council working in partnership with the Legal Services Commission will develop the centres across the city making them the largest community legal advice service in England and Wales.
The new style advice centres will combine, for the first time, both civil legal aid advice and social welfare advice under one roof.
This will mean that residents can access early advice and receive the full range of help they need from one site.
A key priority of the scheme will be to ensure that the centres are "accessible to all" with advice available in the evenings and at weekends.
This new combined approach will ensure that residents will receive the best value for money from the council in delivering accessible advice services.
The community advice centres will open their doors in October 2010. Manchester City Council Executive Member for Adult Services Councillor Glynn Evans said:
"Manchester City Council is proud to be developing this new model of community advice centre across the city.
"It is a key part of the council's Helping Hands initiative which aims to help residents cope with the effects of the current recession.
"Residents will be able to access the expertise they need all under one roof and at times that are convenient to them."
Legal Services Commission (LSC) Area Relationship Manager for the Manchester Carolyn Schofield said:
"The LSC is delighted to be working with Manchester City Council to develop what will be the largest Community Legal Advice Service in England and Wales.
"The LSC helps vulnerable people, and our work is fundamental to social and legal justice.
"We work with skilled and quality-assured advice providers so people can get the help they need, when they need it.
"The Council's local knowledge, plus our expertise in funding legal advice, will come together to mean better access to justice for people in Manchester, while ensuring best use of tax-payers money."
It seems the famously New Labour council administration are the prime movers here. But that raises the question how will these CLACs affect their own council advice service - does anyone know yet?
