Council secures £740k for 2-year CAB funding
A contract which will see Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) continue to support people in crisis has been awarded by the council.
The deal for advice services – worth an initial sum of around £740,000 excluding VAT – will run for two years from July, with the option to extend for a further year until the end of June 2026.
The agreement will follow on from the current contract, which runs out in the summer, after elected members gave it their seal of approval at yesterday’s finance, resources and customer services policy board.
Councillor Jacqueline Cameron, depute leader of the council, said:“I’m really pleased to see increased funding for the Citizens Advice Bureau.
“I went to visit them last year and they were talking about the increase that they’ve obviously had due to the cost-of-living crisis.
“It’s a well-deserved increase [in funding], it’s a much-needed increase and I’m really appreciative of the work that they do.”
A report to the board detailed the extent of the advice services provided by CAB in Paisley’s Glasgow Road for people in the local authority area.
They can range from issues such as money, debt and welfare to housing, employment and homelessness.
The document said:“Across Renfrewshire many people are affected by debt and financial problems.
“It is recognised that advice plays a key role in supporting households through challenging financial circumstances.
“It is also recognised that people usually only seek support once a crisis point is reached and advice becomes vital to help them resolve their issues.
“Renfrewshire Council wishes to commission a service that will not only support those in crisis but encourage clients to engage earlier and obtain advice before crisis point is reached.”
The precise contract value will be £741,400 excluding VAT for the first two years.
If the extension period is used, this will become a total sum of £1.112 million without VAT.
CAB will also work with the council to deliver community benefits as part of the agreement.