I was contacted recently by the chief executive of the Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) who expressed concerns over a shortfall in funding for the CAB outreach service at Blackhall library for the coming year.
I met last week with officers from the East Durham Area Action Partnership to discuss all available options and I can now confirm that I have arranged a funding contribution of £3,000 from the Neighbourhood Budget to continue the CAB service in Blackhall for 2012-2013.
I believe the CAB provides an essential service and I think that the outreach in Blackhall (and elsewhere) is needed more now than ever before because of the government's savage austerity measures which are having a devastating effect on benefits, jobs and public services in our community.
Please visit the library for details of the CAB outreach service at Blackhall or go to:
http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk and follow the links to find your local CAB outreach.
