I today questioned the Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Napier on funding for the Citizen’s Advice Bureau. The Council has asked the CAB to work up proposals which could see a £150,000 cut to the funding. Cllr Napier confirmed that these cuts are not yet council policy and I therefore hope that this cut in essential funding will not come forward in Labour’s budget proposals.  If it does I will do all I can to try and convince Labour councillors that cutting this service would be inappropriate and very damaging.

On a second point I raised concerns about the existing funding and future funding gap for home visits for the most vulnerable in our County. At present CAB funding doesn’t provide for home visits for housebound residents who are physically disabled or have mental health issues. These most vulnerable people have to rely on other organisations or in many cases get no help at all. There is a service in the County run by the Christian partnership and Money Advice Service which helps with home visits but it is not getting direct council funding. It helped secure over a million pounds for vulnerable residents last year in benefits and financial assistance.

It is critical that as a council we recognise that perhaps 40% of the most vulnerable in our society need help and advice at home, not a 15 minute phone call and a trip to an office somewhere.

Councillor Napier both in public and in private has now confirmed that he will fully investigate my concerns to do all he can to help these residents. I look forward to seeing what is brought forward and will of course challenge again if the result is not sufficient.