CAB handles more than �8m of debt
CITIZENS Advice Bureaux across Suffolk have handled more than �8.6million of debt since being awarded extra funds to help meet growing demand.
Elliot Furniss
CITIZENS Advice Bureaux across Suffolk have handled more than �8.6million of debt since being awarded extra funds to help meet growing demand.
The increase in funding came from Suffolk County Council to help expand operations at all branches in order to combat the growing impact of the credit crunch.
New figures show that 648 people had been helped by branches across the county up to the end of last month and in 11 cases, homelessness was avoided or delayed.
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Jeremy Pembroke, leader of the council, visited the Bury St Edmunds service this week to see how the extra backing was helping to make a difference.
Mr Pembroke said all CAB staff did a “wonderful job” and had helped an enormous amount of people at what was a difficult time.
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He said: “This is fantastic work in the space of just three months. The extra funding given to Citizens Advice Bureaux across the county by Suffolk County Council is really going to the people who need it.
“I would advise anyone who is worried about their situation in this current economic climate to seek advice from their local CAB.”
Of the �8.6million of debt handled by the Suffolk service between the turn of the year and the end of March, �2.1million was rescheduled and a total of 58 clients were assisted with bankruptcy procedures.
During the same period, bureaux delivered a minimum return of �5.71 to the community for every �1 invested by the county council by way of extra grant.
Jane Ballard, manager of the Citizens Advice Bureaux in Bury St Edmunds, said the additional funding had “really made a difference” in Bury St Edmunds.
She said: “We have been able to increase the hours of our money adviser and employ a part-time assistant money adviser.
“This has meant that we have been able to increase the amount of time available to help clients who have money worries.
“Overall, we have helped 88 clients over the period with a total debt of �276, 765.”
For more information visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk.
