DOZENS of people in Minehead and the surrounding villages have been supported by Somerset’s Citizens Advice service through the generosity of their local MP.
Rachel Gilmour was elected in July 2024 as the Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton and Minehead – a constituency which straddles the Devon-Somerset border.
In addition to her work as an MP, Mrs Gilmour served on Mid Devon District Council between May 2023 and March this year, standing down before the local elections on May 1.
Mrs Gilmour (who lives in Bampton) announced in November 2024 that she would be donating her monthly councillor allowance to the West Somerset Citizens Advice service in Minehead.
The service has now revealed the funding has allowed them to help around 65 clients with 217 different queries – with Mrs Gilmour praising the service for its “life-changing work”.
Unlike MPs, elected councillors do not receive a salary for their time, but are provided with a monthly allowance to cover their time and any travel expenses incurred.
All Mid Devon councillors are eligible for an annual allowance of £6,000, paid in monthly instalments – with additional allowances being available for the leader and senior committee members.
Mrs Gilmour donated four months’ worth of her allowance to West Somerset Citizens Advice between November 2024 and her standing down in March 2025 – the equivalent of £2,000.
The funding was used to support constituents in four separate Somerset council divisions within Mrs Gilmour’s constituency – Dulverton and Exmoor, Dunster, Minehead, and Watchet and Stogursey.
The majority of customer queries related to benefits and tax credits, with additional queries about housing, universal credit and employment (among others).
Citizens Advice’s support allow customers to access £36,680 worth of support – representing a 20:1 return on Mrs Gilmour’s investment.
Ian Atkinson, chief officer of Citizens Advice West Somerset, said: “Our team was delighted to be provided with project funding by Rachel Gilmour.
“This has made a difference to a number of vulnerable, local west Somerset people who have been able to access significant support because of the contribution.”
Citizens Advice West Somerset helped more than 2,327 clients in 2024/25, securing more than £1.4m worth of positive outcomes for local people aged 15 to 94.
Mrs Gilmour added: “I am delighted that my donations to Citizens Advice West Somerset have had such a positive impact in the area.
“The team does life-changing work, often assisting vulnerable people in our area, and so I am pleased that my donations helped to expand their services to help people in need across west Somerset.”
The West Somerset Citizens Advice office is located on Market House Lane near the centre of Minehead, and is currently open from 10am to 5pm on weekdays.
For more information about its services, visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/local-citizensadvice/0014K000009EMO5QAO.