Consumer Direct Scotland

Governance

Consumer Direct Scotland Stakeholder Board
Oversees the development, operation and performance of the Consumer Direct Scotland service at a strategic and advisory level in order to ensure that the objectives of the service remain focused, that CDS is delivering the promised benefits and that CDS fits with other providers of advice and information.

The remit of the Stakeholder Board has been agreed as:

• To be a forum to accept feedback from stakeholders on experiences and concerns
• To be able to influence Consumer Direct Scotland for the benefit of all stakeholders
• To be aware of the changing consumer climate in Scotland through the joint intelligence of all board members
• To undertake monitoring, evaluation and appraisal of Consumer Direct Scotland
• To promote Consumer Direct Scotland.

Membership is drawn from the following agencies:

• SCOTSS
• COSLA
• Postwatch
• Energy Watch
• Citizens Advice Scotland
• Citizens Advice Direct
• Consumer Support Network
• Advice UK
• Scottish Consumer Council
• The Scottish Consumer Council

Consumer Direct Operational Group

Acts as a key liaison point between CDS and Trading Standards services in order to increase the involvement of Trading Standards in the way the service is delivered and the degree of ownership that TS have over the service.
 The remit of the group is:

• To advise on the operational policies and practices of CDS and develop solutions to any areas of concern in joint working between CDS and local authorities.
• To monitor the quality of the advice provided by CDS and advise on specific quality issues.
• To develop the relationships between TS and CDS and facilitate ownership among the TS community of the CDS service.
• To ensure the effective development and implementation of protocol arrangements between CDS and local authorities.
• To work to ensure that the role and purpose of CDS is fully understood by local authorities and that the service is fully utilised.