Plans to rethink funding cuts to Citizens Advice Bureau’s in Staffordshire have been welcomed by a Burntwood councillor.
A Corporate Review Committee at Staffordshire County Council has agreed to rethink the £439,000 of cuts, which would have led to smaller facilities closing and a reduced service in others.
The move has been welcomed by Labour councillors, including Burntwood representative Sue Woodward.
She said: “With a petition in favour of saving our Citizens Advice Bureaus already running at over 11,500, this reflects the real value Staffordshire residents put on these services.
“We must now find a fairer and more positive solution.”
Staffordshire County Council is now urging other authorities to step up to support the future of the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Cllr Alan White, Cabinet Member for health, care and wellbeing, said: “Although we have had to prioritise funding for the services we have a statutory duty to provide, we do recognise the important role the Citizens Advice Bureau plays in helping people with issues such as money worries or debt.
“With this in mind, we want to look at whether there is any possibility of running a more scaled back service, but we can’t do this alone. I plan to write to every district, borough, town and parish council to see if they can help support the service either financially or perhaps by offering accommodation for example.
“While there are no guarantees at this stage, we will be working with both the Citizens Advice and partners to see if there is a solution and will return to Cabinet with the county-wide response.”
