Gainsborough: Financial help for the Citizens Advice Bureau

Coun Diana Rodgers used her Councillor Initiative Fund to donate £2,400 to help redecorate the Lincoln CAB and towards staffing levels in West Lindsey CAB.

The service offers free practical information and advice on a wide range of topics, including debt, benefits, housing, legal, discrimination, employment, immigration, consumer and other problems.

Coun Rodgers said: “The Councillor Initiative Fund enables individual councillors to engage directly with organisations which enhance the health and welfare of our citizens, and it is important to make sure that grants are used wisely and effectively, so that they can benefit the wider community.”

“The Citizens Advice Bureau is one such organisation, and this is not the first time that I have used my allocation for their benefit.”

“I arranged a similar grant for the West Lindsey CAB earlier in the year, which helped to fund an advisor, and enabled two senior members of staff to attend the annual conference, at the University of Warwick.”

“In the absence of the Councillor Initiative Fund, the expenses would have been diverted from client services.”

Ian Glaister, chair of trustees at Lincoln CAB thanked Coun Rodgers for the grant, which was used to refurbish the reception area at Beaumont Fee.

“This enhanced and refreshed look has improved the waiting area and working conditions for all,” he added.

Couns Alan Caine, Judy Rainsforth and Angela Lawrence also provided money from their funds for the West Lindsey CAB.

Coun Rainsforth said she was ‘delighted’ to be able to help the West Lindsey CAB.

“They do an absolutely fantastic job and they are really needed in the current economic climate,” she said.

“If they can’t help people themselves, they always know someone who will be able to.”

The Councillor Initiative Fund is available to all 37 district councillors, who have been allocated £4,000 each to spend over two years on projects in their ward.