Funding Needed for Citizens Advice Bureau in Kenilworth

10.24.22am GMT Sun 23rd Nov 2008

Cllrs. Ann Blacklock and Pat Ryan

At this week's meeting of the Kenilworth Town Council, Liberal Democrat councillors Ann Blacklock and Pat Ryan proposed that the town council should provide some financial support to the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) to enable its vital work to continue in Kenilworth.

The CAB continues to receive pleas for help from Kenilworth residents at the main office in Leamington in spite of the very high take-up of appointments at its weekly surgery at the Library. CAB running costs are rising, while demand for its help is increasing enormously due to the credit crunch, personal debt and other complex problems faced by residents. Kenilworth receives a very high number of home visits from CAB staff, which are vital to people who can't go out easily but which are expensive to provide.

Liberal Democrat-led Leamington Spa town council sets a good example by providing substantial financial support to the CAB, which is additional to the funding from either the county council or district council. Until now Kenilworth town council has paid nothing.

The town council agreed to refer the matter to its Finance Committee for further consideration. With a number of other town councillors voicing support at the meeting, Cllrs. Blacklock and Ryan are hopeful for a positive outcome, but will continue to press the case strongly.