Lib Dem councillors support funding for Citizens' Advice
Liberal Democrat councillors David Kendall and Karen Chilvers spoke up for Brentwood's CAB at Wednesday's Policy Committee meeting. In the current economic climate, more and more people are seeking debt advice and it is crucial that access to advice is given quickly by an independent source.
Cllr Kendall highlighted some of the problems currently faced by CAB which included the following:
- They are facing an ever increasing workload
- Brentwood Council's grant of £53,000 has not changed in the last five years.
- Their current budget shows a deficit of £9,400 and this will increase in future years unless costs and services are cut and income is increased.
- CAB currently only has one salaried debt specialist who works twelve hours a week.
The Liberal Democrats were planning to move an amendment calling for the CAB to be given another £10,000 to pay for an extra debt specialist, so when the Chairman said he would increase the grant by £10,000 they welcomed the news.
Cllr Kendall said:
"The Brentwood CAB provides a tremendous service to our residents despite facing an ever increasing workload. It is vital the Council continues to give them much needed financial support and is reactive to their needs going forward. I am very concerned that the Council's grant has stayed the same for the last five years when they are facing the burden ever increasing costs, however I do welcome the news that they will now be given an extra £10,000 to cover the cost of employing another much needed debt specialist because this measure will make a real difference".