‘It’s hand-to-mouth stuff at times’ as squeeze on funding threatens services

services we provide have led to the board considering cutting staff by 10%. But, thankfully it has not come to that yet.

“The finances will be reviewed again from January to March where the board will go through the same process.

“We have been quite successful in sourcing various pots of funding throughout the financial year but we cannot keep doing this on a long-term basis.

“It’s real hand-to-mouth stuff at times and it is no way to continue.

“Basically, more income is needed. The last thing we want to do is cut what are vital services for the people who need them.

“They are well used and they are needed by a lot of people in the city.

“We also have a variety of outreach services which are very helpful to other groups and agencies.

“Money is available to run specialised or innovative programmes to help people.

“But the issue lies with maintaining our core services, which help clients deal with debt and benefits.

“The problem is mainly down to the amount of funding which has remained stationary for years now.

“CAB is comfortable that the local authority will continue to support us but it’s not enough to rely on, providing the number of services we carry out.”

As CAB prepares to hold its AGM next month, figures have revealed that in the last financial year, staff helped clients with 8,651 cases of debt.

The total amount of debt dealt with was £1,892,836.

The office also offered advice on benefits, tax credits and national insurance on nearly 8,000 occasions, while they dealt with 1,470 inquiries about employment issues.

The newly-appointed board of directors will discuss the financial challenges ahead at the AGM.

Ms Kinninmonth said: “The new board will have to seriously consider the financial position for next year which will reflect on what we can and what we cannot do.”

“It’s in our interest that the bureau delivers quality over quantity.”

Among the services the CAB offers is weekly visits to Dundee’s Maggie’s Centre, to offer advice to people with cancer and their families on a host of issues.

Claire Heaton, Maggie’s fundraising assistant, said: “For the last five years Dundee CAB has been an invaluable support. Every week their support worker comes to give advice. They offer practical and financial help for people living with cancer and their families.”