Council rejects £140,000 bid for extra debt advice (From Borehamwood Times)

Council rejects £140,000 bid for extra debt advice

8:40am Sunday 21st September 2008

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Calls for funding to provide more financial advisers at Borehamwood’s Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) were rejected by Hertsmere Borough Council this week.

Labour councillors Ann Harrison and Di Hoeksma put forward a motion to offer funding to the CAB for two more staff members to assist residents with money problems.

The council already gives the CAB a grant of £250,000 a year, but Ms Harrison and Mrs Hoeksma urged it to give extra money because of the current national economic climate.

Addressing last night’s full council meeting, Ms Harrison said: “There is an overwhelming need for advisors in Hertsmere. With the global economic downturn as it is, more and more people will have difficulty with their finances, and with rising bills and possible job losses, families will reach crisis point.

“The CAB is the best organisation to deal with this.”

The council was asked to approve a grant of £140,000 spread over two years to fund two extra financial advisers, but only five councillors agreed with the plan, while others questioned the urgency of the measure.

Councillor Brenda Batten said: “We wish to help our residents, but I believe this service requirement is far beyond the council’s remit. We as a council have a good relationship with the CAB and they have not come to us with this requirement.

“I cannot accept this motion, but we will certainly support the CAB by encouraging partnership organisations to continue their funding.”

Mrs Hoeksma, who seconded the motion, added: “I am disappointed the ruling group can’t support this because I know times are hard. We have in this borough one of the most deprived areas in Britain so we are going to have people with problems.

“The CAB in its report of 2006/7 showed a trend of people not being able to cope with debts.”

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