Crisis funding set up in bid to save cash-strapped CAB
Vital service hit with £115,000 shortfall
05.07.2018 Under-threat Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau will be funded for four months while a plan is sought to save the stricken service.
Council chiefs have agreed to stump-up cash to keep the office running while it tries to plug a £115,000 shortfall.
But they blocked calls for the issue to be raised at a recent summit, sparking cries of “shame” and “disgrace” from the public gallery.
Council chief executive Sandra Black explained the strategy to save the service to onlookers.
She said: “There was a paper discussed at the leadership board meeting.
“What was agreed was the existing core funding for the CAB would be extended for a further four months to allow for further discussion.
“A further report will be brought back to the leadership board in September to agree a way forward.
“Funding is maintained at existing levels in the meantime.”
CAB provides free advice to thousands of families each year on issues including debt, housing, employment and benefits.
It has been based in Paisley’s Glasgow Road for 30 years.
But chiefs warned a new £242,000 council contract does not cover all its running costs.
Councillors agreed to provide £ 87,000 to pay for core services until September at a leadership board meeting last month.
Members from across the chamber united behind the plan and called for more information on how to fund the service.
Strict local authority rules mean the same issue cannot be debated twice in six months.
Around 30 members of the public looked on while a vote to debate the issue again was knocked back.
Councillor Dowling tried to suspend the guidelines during last Thursday’s full council summit.
She said: “The CAB has served as the last line of defence for the people of Renfrewshire for 30 years.
“In times of financial, housing, debt, immigration, tax, benefits, relationship and employment crisis, the volunteers and specialist staff have been there for us.
“The CAB service is highly regarded by the general public.
“However, changes to the way the it is now funded by the council means there is now a substantial cash shortfall.
“Why do we now only have three months of CAB funding, with the implied threat of a review of all contracted services it delivers? Whose bright idea was that?”
CAB insists it does not have cash to fund staffing, office space, phone costs, recruitment and training of volunteers under the current deal.
Bosses say it may be forced to fold if extra cash cannot be found, with the loss of 22 jobs and 43 volunteers.
Renfrewshire Council has covered these costs under a grant system, but has moved to an open market contract system, which doesn’t cover the basic services.
The new terms came into effect on Sunday.