Message from the Chair

Hello everybody,

Once again I have the pleasure in bringing to your attention the Annual Report for the “year” just past – and, I am sure that you will agree with me when you recount on the year 2006/7 - that the year has flown by – it always does when you are busy – and happy in what you are achieving.

In this report, you will see this past-year has been busy, meeting challenges that change and time have brought about. Looking at change, you will recall that last year, the Kings Centre in Chessington were our hosts, whilst the Hook Community Centre was completed. Our somewhat tentative move into the Centre is proving a success. The venue is welcoming, and the Clients who call, are receiving first-class “Gateway” advice. In parallel to the Hook Centre, the Malden Library “desk” also continues to give “Gateway” advice to the residents of New Malden. I am grateful to the staff and volunteers for giving practical support to those clients in Hook/Chessington and New Malden

Kingston Citizens Advice Bureau – of which my fellow Trustees and I are so justifiably proud to be closely associated with, continues to give sound advice to residents of the Borough – this advice encompasses every form - relating to the needs for advice from clients who present themselves – or telephone our advisors; who respond by giving first-class advice.

Our team of staff and volunteers who operate the Legal Service Commission work – who deal with clients with either debt, or welfare benefits legal problems, also, never cease to amaze me – as they meet - and exceed rigorous targets set by the Commission. It would concern me greatly if this advice now available, was denied to Kingston residents in the future.

In February, Patron of the C.A.B. Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal visited Neville House. Princess Anne wished to see a successful C.A.B. during working hours, and meet staff, volunteers and Trustees.

To see more images of HRH Princes Anne visting the KCAB offices please click on the images above

The Mayor Councillor Mary Reid welcomed Princess Anne, who spent two hours with us, speaking at length to each of the Staff, including of course the Volunteers, Trustees and the Borough’s Chief Executive Bruce McDonald.

Speaking of the Borough, once again I thank the Royal Borough for continuing to support the K.C.A.B. financially through a grant without which, there would not be a C.A.B. in the Borough. which, as I mentioned last year, also acts as a springboard for the Students Union to fund and support our Advice Centre in the University enabling the Bureaux to ensure advice is available to the thousands of students in the “Uni” complex. I thank the Students Union for their continued financial support.

Gillian Pennington our “Link” to the borough, goes to so much trouble to acquaint herself with the work and activities of K.C.A.B. for which I thank her.

I thank my fellow Trustees for there continued support and the expertise they bring to our meetings. I am proud to be their Chairman. Finally, I thank Pippa Mackie in her role as Chief Executive; it is a delight to work with her – with one aim - as I have said before, to serve the residents of the Royal Borough, in giving sound, sustainable advice.

Peter C. Gray: Chairman.

KCAB case examples:

KCAB have been very active in helping clients with their employment problems with the help of a specialist adviser. These case have been on the increase. The majority of our clients who ask for help with employment problems would not be able to pursue their claims if we were not there to help them. This is because of the cost and the complicated nature of the system to resolve cases. Last year, the Government introduced the new grievance and appeal system in an attempt to resolve the simple cases at work level without having to go to the Employment Tribunal. Unfortunately, this has not worked as most employers still dismiss their employees on the pretext of something that is not strictly true. They use the grievance and appeal procedure for simply rubber stamping their earlier decision. This is where we step in.

In a recent case, a client, a manger of a hotel of a big chain, was dismissed by the Director on the pretext that he did not get on with his superior despite the fact that the hotel he managed was the top earning hotel in the chain. Our client was told that he would get all his dues and an extra £2000. He followed the grievance procedure which produced no favourable result. We advised him to take his case to the Employment Tribunal for unfair dismissal. Helped him to make an application within the required deadline and helped with his presentation at the hearing. Client succeeded in his claim for unfair dismissal and was granted £10,000 in compensation.