Council steps in to safeguard CAB (From Thurrock Gazette)

Council steps in to safeguard CAB

3:00pm Friday 8th March 2013 in News

THURROCK Council has pledged to support the town’s struggling Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

Councillors agreed to fund the bureau for the next financial year to help it continue providing advice, support and help to people struggling with debts, benefits or other issues.

Cllr John Kent, Labour leader of the council, pictured right, said: “I think members across the chamber are aware of the severe difficulties facing the Thurrock Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

“They have lost a significant amount of their income as a result of changes that have been made to Legal Aid rules. I think it is really important in these tough times we do what we can to help preserve what is a vital source of help and advice for many of our residents.”

Members welcomed the move and the idea got cross-party support in the chamber at a recent council meeting.

Phil Anderson, leader of Thurrock Conservatives, pictured right, said: “The CAB provides vital help to individuals at the most difficult times.

“Our vision for the council is that groups like this will provide more services in the future, not less.

“This means a move away from blank cheque grant funding and towards proper arrangements where we are clear on what we pay for and what we get in return.

“I know that Thurrock CAB is committed to making this change and under-writing by the council will give the essential financial stability that it needs.

“The council must now get serious about our part of the deal and start handing more services over to voluntary and community groups for them to deliver on our behalf.”