High praise for advice bureau

The outgoing chairman of the Arunandchichestercitizens Advice Bureau (CAB) has said it is ‘remarkable’ that his colleagues have continued to provide invaluable support during the pandemic.

Geoff Palmer, who is stepping down as CAB chairman after six years, led his final annual general meeting on Tuesday morning (October 20), before being replaced by Hugh Finlay.

He said: “We helped more than 9,800 residents in Arun and Chichester to find a way forward for a wide variety of problems.

“Everything changed completely with lockdown.

“Thanks to the brilliant work from Luca [Badioli, CEO], his leadership team and wonderful staff and volunteers, this service kept running albeit without the face-to-face element.

“I’m proud to say we have helped even more people in Arun and Chichester than before, with a greater number of problems.

“Demand for our services has just shot up but our team has risen to the challenge.

“We have continued to provide help and advice to the people who need us.

“It’s a remarkable result and Luca and his team deserve every credit for that.”

Treasurer Louise Martin said excess funds, available from the previous financial year, were spent on IT and communication equipment for staff to work from home due to Covid-19.

The board was also able to employ additional advisers to ‘help us deal with the increase in demand for our services’.

Ms Martin added: “We have been awarded a number of new projects in 2021, and we are on target to achieve a budgeted breakeven for 2021.

“This is an incredible achievement in the light of the current pandemic.”

CEO Mr Badioli said the face-to-face service remains suspended ‘until further notice’ but the advice bureau board is ‘continually monitoring situation’ and ‘exploring alternative options’.