Money advice service saved from axe threat
A MONEY advice service provided by Bellshill Citizens Advice Bureau has been saved after North Lanarkshire Council agreed to continue funding.
The project was under threat as part of a savings programme, with the council proposing to cut by four per cent its support to external voluntary organisations.
However, the environmental services committee reversed the CAB proposal last week and agreed to provide the £30,000 funding needed to enable the service to continue.
Councillor Helen McKenna, the committee convener, said: “Money advice services are particularly important because of the UK Government’s proposed welfare reform changes.
“So, despite the intense cost pressures the council is faced with, we have decided to support the service provided by Bellshill CAB and help ensure the most vulnerable people in our community have access to these key money and debt advice services.”
The decision was welcomed by SNP councillor Paul Delaney who said the council’s Labour leaders had performed a u-turn under pressure.
Councillor Delaney, who represents Mossend and Holytown, had hit out at the proposal when it was put forward before Christmas.
He said: “I’m pleased that the highlighting of this and a protest campaign by CAB have resulted in a u-turn.
“The council would have been morally bankrupt if it had made this cut which would have hit the most vulnerable people in our community.”
Full story in this week’s Bellshill Speaker.
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Weather for Bellshill
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
