THE manager of Droitwich Spa’s Citizens Advice Bureau has warned that the organisation could now face closure after council chiefs slashed vital funding.

On Tuesday, February 2 Wychavon District Council’s executive board decided to cut the Wychavon Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) budget for the next two years.

From a grant of £60,000 in the current financial year, the council will halve CAB funding to £30,000 per annum. Of this more than £7,000 a year will go straight back to the council in rent for the bureau’s premises at the Hub in Droitwich High Street, where the CAB has increased its service from two to three days a week to try to cope with demand.

The CAB group has recently received one-off funding from Advantage West Midlands of £27,000 as part of the Market Towns Initiative. The money is to assist volunteers back into work through in-work training and to provide additional resources to deal with debt, employment and welfare benefits problems.

Members see the Advantage West Midlands funding as recognision of the contribution that CAB makes in helping those most in need during the current recession.

However, angry CAB workers now feel this money will be totally negated by the massive reduction in district council funding next year.

Ruth Davies, manager of Wychavon CAB, said: “Enquiries have risen by 21% in the current year, and 70% of all enquiries relate to debt, welfare benefits and employment. Where will our clients go for free, independent advice if we are forced to close or massively reduce our opening hours?”

She also warned that the reduction will probably mean that the organisation will have to close its doors at the end of this year unless other funds are found.

Wychavon CAB also has officies in Evesham and Pershore as well as Droitwich Spa.

Councillor Bob Banks, executive board member for resources, said: “The council is a major supporter of the valuable work undertaken by Wychavon CAB and its many volunteers. The executive board has recognised this by identifying £60,000 for the CAB over the next 2 years during a period of very difficult budget pressures and will continue to be our largest investment in the voluntary sector.

“This proposed grant is not as high as the CAB would like but I am afraid the council is not itself immune to the effects of the recession. I am delighted that the CAB has attracted some new sources of funding, including the recent award from Advantage West Midlands. However, our budget decision is not connected to this announcement and the CAB will be aware that we have been actively working with them, including an investment of £285,000, over the last 4 years to help secure alternative sources of income and reduce their financial reliance on the council. As public sector finance will only be getting tougher in future years we believe this is the only realistic way forward.”