CAB puts in bid for £133,000 a year (From Witney Gazette)

CAB puts in bid for £133,000 a year

9:50am Wednesday 23rd January 2008 in Witney By David Horne

WEST Oxfordshire's only free legal advice and information service is seeking £133,000 of local taxpayers' money for the next year.

The Citizens' Advice Bureau would not be able to operate without the level of support it receives from the district council to cope with about 20,000 requests for help and advice each year.

The council's cabinet today is being recommended to agree a £113,000 core grant, plus £20,000 to support a rural advice project in the district's villages. Andrew Tucker, strategic director of development, said: "There is no doubt that the CAB does extremely valuable work in support of local residents and communities, much of which directly relates to the council's own priorities." The main CAB office is at The Old Print House, in Marlborough Lane, Witney, where it moved in 2006 to find extra space, including interview rooms, general office, and training facilities for its volunteer staff.

David Bettle, CAB chairman, said they had raised £70,000 themselves to fund improvements at the new premises.

But they are looking for a three-year funding arrangement from the district council, with £133,000 annually for the next three years.