CAB grant cut reduced (From Borehamwood Times)

CAB grant cut reduced

2:26pm Friday 3rd February 2006

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The Citizens Advice Bureau in Hertsmere faces a £10,000 grant cut instead of the planned £50,000 reduction, it emerged on Wednesday.

Hertsmere Borough Council's ruling Conservatives first announced plans to slash the £213,000 yearly grant to the CAB in their draft budget last month.

But they backtracked this week after intense talks with the organisation.

More than 500 people have signed a petition against cuts to the CAB service, which is based in Allum Lane, Elstree.

The council's budget, including the proposed £10,400 CAB cut, will be approved at a meeting of the executive on February 22. Later that evening, it is likely to be rubber-stamped at a meeting of the full council.

Labour councillors, who took to the streets of Borehamwood on Saturday with a petition, have demanded that no cut be made to the CAB grant, particularly after last year's grant freeze led to cuts in the service.

"A cut is a cut they should be increasing the grant," said Councillor Ernie Butler. "There's a strong feeling out there. Hopefully they will reverse their decision."

Don Bootle, chairman of the CAB's board of trustees, said it was too early to predict the effects of the cuts, but did hint there may be a slight reduction in opening hours and a possible relocation of one or more of the council-owned CAB offices to more affordable areas.

Mr Bootle said the trustees were determined to keep the service running despite the cut.

"We remain fully committed to the provision of a quality advice service for the citizens that live and work in Hertsmere and appreciate the work that has been done so far to ensure the sustainability of the CAB Service across the borough," he said.

"We look forward to working for mutual benefit in close partnership with the council in the future."

Council leader Neil Payne said: "I greatly appreciate all the good work that Citizens Advice Bureau Service Hertsmere does and realise that it is a valuable resource for the residents of Hertsmere.

"Continuing budgetary pressures on the council have resulted in the need to take difficult decisions concerning grant reductions, but the council remains committed to working positively with CABSH to develop the service over coming years."

Mr Butler, however, claimed that the council would take the brunt of any grant cut to the CAB, as people would have to turn to it for advice.

"It's going to come back on the council, because they are going to have to pay for it in the long run," he said.

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