A privilege to be involved with the governance of the Citizens Advice network - Carl Les

In a building that was challenging, operationally and from a recurring maintenance aspect, requiring a great deal of generous support from our local landlord, a lot of effort was going on, some well delivered and sadly some less so, but under a strong general desire to understand, to explain and to get results for people who needed help.

I fell into the work of the trustee management board, monitoring results and trying to match resources to need. Finances were tight but manageable, if they were well managed. Over time we were offered alternative premises so that the estate could redevelop where we were. This opportunity was quickly taken, as that building was more conducive to our cellular operational model of small interview rooms, and had a new roof.

Finances remained tight but with a tight grip they remained acceptable to most trustees. After a while I found that I was the longest serving trustee and so became the chair of the trustee board. Around the same time our neighbouring bureau in Northallerton needed financial and organisational support and we entered into a partnership agreement which eventually led to a full merger, helped considerably by the manager of the time, Angie.

One key funder was the County Council who for many years had expressed a preference to deal with one organisation rather than eight or nine. We set up a consortium of bureaux in North Yorkshire, Advice North Yorkshire, and this worked after a fashion, certainly better than no consortium, but a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

Shortly we were in support talks with another bureau. Angie had departed to return home to Scotland, and we had recruited Carol, in a chief executive rather than bureau manager role, and who had great experience in multi-office working.

With a lot of hard work, and some tears, we have now completed merging all bureaux in North Yorkshire, reducing costs, building capacity and enhancing service delivery, introducing a Law Centre, to fill the voids in legal aid. None of this of course is possible without our funders, large and small, good management, dedicated workers and an excellent and willing team of volunteers. We receive no direct government grant.

As part of providing more services I was delighted to be told of a bid to provide an enhanced service to veterans. I’ve never had the privilege to serve in the military, but from my time representing the communities around Catterick, and living near Leeming, I recognise their needs and their wider family of veterans, and the debt we owe them that we need to repay however we can.

Operation Valour is such a repayment. Perhaps more to follow on this but in essence it is about creating a hub with rural and digital access to provide advice, signposting and casework support and I was delighted that Rishi Sunak was able to visit us to learn more about the project and lend us his endorsement and support.

It`s been a busy week. Two important items crossing my desk – the proposed budget for next financial year, and the foreword setting out our new Council Plan, the road map of where we intend to go. An old adage but still valid – failing to plan is planning to fail. Both these items will come to council in February for discussion and approval. I attended a meeting with the Mayor, leader of York Council, and senior civil servants to discuss how we can unlock surplus government land – actually your land – so that we can better develop more housing and industry.

That same evening I called in to attend the newly created Harrogate Town Council, a commitment made by the new NYC that this would happen if the people of Harrogate and Scarborough wanted their own parish councils. This meeting was to set out their aspirations and on what they want to spend the peoples` precept. More of this another time.

Great news that the Tour de France will come through the North of England once more, with another Grand Depart, this time for the TdF Femmes race, in Leeds once again. At Welcome to Yorkshire we knew this would happen sometime, the greatest free to view sporting spectacle in the world, because of the spectacular way our public embraced the event in 2014.

And finally I have just heard that President Trump will impose tariffs on European nations until he gets his own way over Greenland. Oh dear!

Coun Carl Les is the leader of North Yorkshire Council.