Reports & documents

CASTLEMILK LAW & MONEY ADVICE CENTRE

ANNUAL PLAN 2024/25

Introduction ‍

This Annual Plan is a specific application of the Project Plan 2023-26. It takes into account the same issues but applied to one year.  The aims and objectives are the same but there is specific provision made in regard to the work to be done for the period current to this plan.  
‍‍

1. Casework

a. Housing
Over the period from April 2024 to March 2025 we expect there to be an increase in rent arrears and mortgage arrears and also an increase in clients presenting as homeless.  

We shall monitor the number of housing cases we are taking on.  It is likely that these will be in excess of those which one solicitor can comfortably deal with.  We shall utilise other solicitors and resources as necessary to deal with this and inform the Legal Aid Board of the excess demand.  In particular we shall look at homelessness cases. The Council in Glasgow has declared an emergency in housing and part of this is due to there being insufficient housing for the numbers of potential tenants and potential house purchasers seeking accommodation. This is likely to have a number of effects, not least of which will be an increase in rents, specifically in the private sector.  The ongoing effect of the cost-of-living crisis and high interest rates will also result in an increased number of homeowners being unable to meet current mortgage payments.  

All of this means that there are particularly high demands in regard to our housing law services.  

We are also facing an increased demand from tenants both in the social sector and the private sector who have disrepair problems, specifically dampness problems.  We shall seek funding to develop this into a  particular project in order to meet this demand and help these tenants.  

b. Debt

‍The Law Centre started its Cost-of-Living Crisis Project during 2023 with specific regard to the financial problems faced by potential clients in south east Glasgow. We have already attracted funding from the Scottish Government through their Investing in Communities Fund.  We are working with Castlemilk CAB on this. We also have funding from the Trussell Trust and Independent Age.   This has enabled us to take on a trainee who will also help with this project. Accordingly there are at least three solicitors at the Law Centre dealing with this together with two members of staff at the CAB.

We shall identify clients with particular problems and analyse their financial needs, controlling debt problems where possible and identifying the shortfall between the items of expenditure which they should find essential, and what they can actually afford.  We shall highlight how far clients’ current income falls short of essential expenditure.

This will be an ongoing programme of work during 2024.  
We shall also maximise clients’ benefits where possible.  

c . Benefits
We shall continue our work in regard to welfare benefits, ensuring that clients are receiving all benefits they are entitled to.
This will involve claims, mandatory reconsiderations and appeals to the Upper Tribunal and beyond if necessary. We shall identify clients who are disabled and claim disability benefits on their behalf, and also clients who are able bodied, and need help with benefits such as Universal Credit.  

We will seek additional funding along with others to improve work for clients in particular who are disabled.  

d. Other areas
We shall identify types of clients who need particular help at the moment. This may include in particular clients with disabilities.  We already have carried out a great deal of work in regard to Powers of Attorney and we are looking to develop this area of work.  

‍

3. Environmental Factors and Context

 a. National Trends
We shall highlight the particular problems faced by clients with a view to attracting further funding for ourselves and other similar agencies to meet these needs.  In particular it is likely that the Scottish Government will introduce a Legal Aid Bill during 2024 and we shall work with others to ensure that Legal Aid continues, and meets the needs of those with the greatest difficulties.  

We shall also monitor any changes at UK Government level with a view to ensuring that the needs of our clients are recognised in regard to any changes in Government expenditure.  

b. Community needs
We shall continue to work with others and monitor the needs of those living in our local communities.  We shall identify the communities in greatest need and seek to take on cases from clients with the greatest difficulties.  

We shall continue to work in Castlemilk with Castlemilk CAB, Castlemilk Credit Union, Castlemilk Community Council and all the other local groups and agencies, including the Housing Associations.  

We shall continue to provide services as far as possible across south east Glasgow and work with other agencies in the Glasgow Advice and Information Network in this regard.  

We shall continue with our work in Toryglen and ensure that we do what we can to enable the continuation of the Toryglen Community Base and the constituent groups located there.  

We shall also continue to work at Glasgow South East Foodbank along with Castlemilk and Bridgeton CABs.  

‍

4. Operational Requirements

a. Staffing Requirements

We shall continue to look for increased resources in order to engage more staff and seek to maximise the remuneration of current staff.  

b. Managerial Provision
We shall monitor the managerial requirements for the Law Centre and identify any opportunities for providing greater managerial input for the Law Centre as a whole.‍

 c. Technological Change
We are in the process of changing our IT maintenance provision.  This should enable us to run our digital systems more effectively.  
We shall also monitor the ongoing improvement in technological provision, including the introduction of AI and the effect this has on our work.  ‍

‍

5. Finances

We shall monitor finances on a monthly basis.  Detailed financial information is contained separately.  
‍

6 . Premises

We shall seek to maintain and seek to improve our Castlemilk premises. Longer term we hope to have the CAB working more closely with us and have improved premises for Castlemilk Credit Union.
We shall continue our commitment at Toryglen and ensure that these premises are as secure as possible.  
We shall continue our work at Govanhill at the Foodbank which is due to be relocated to the Govanhill Workspace during 2024.