Exclusive by Alan Quick

THERE are fears that potential changes to Crediton Citizens Advice could result in a greatly reduced service or no future service locally.

Crediton Citizens Advice, as part of Torridge, North, Mid and West Devon Citizens Advice, has recently tendered to become the sole provider of Welfare Advice and Information Services for Mid Devon residents.

Following a change to Mid Devon District Council’s annual grant scheme, grant funding from April 1, will stop and will be replaced with Service Level Agreements between the Council and its chosen providers.

The outcome of the tender will not be known until late March.

Torridge, North, Mid and West Devon Citizens Advice says that until a decision has been made, there is little the charity can comment on regarding their services in Mid Devon, which includes the Crediton office.

Vicki Rowe, CEO of the charity, is due to make a presentation to the Council next week as part of the tendering process and will be highlighting the need for the advice and support they provide in the local area.

She told the “Courier”: “One thing remains certain amongst the unknown, and that’s that clients are our top priority.

“We are doing everything in our power to demonstrate our value to the Council.

“Changes will need to be made to ensure we are running an effective and sustainable service, but the extent of these are unknown until we are aware of the Council’s chosen provider of welfare advice and information services.”

The Citizens Advice service is a network of independent charities that helps people resolve their issues by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers.

The advice provided is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone.

Most Citizens Advice service staff are fully trained and accredited volunteers.

Citizens Advice help solve nearly six million new problems every year which are central to people’s lives, including debt and consumer issues, benefits, housing, legal matters, employment, and immigration.

Advisers can help fill out forms, write letters, negotiate with creditors and represent clients at court or tribunal.

The service has a Macmillan project officer offering generalist advice to cancer patients and their families or carers. It also offer generalist advice to migrants through a Migrant Worker project.

The Crediton office is currently open from 10am to 3pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

A limited number of assessment appointments are often available on a strictly first-come, first-served basis. After an assessment interview, the client may require a further interview which may or may not be on the same day.

If you are unable to make it to the Crediton office, which is situated in the Council Offices in Market Street, call Adviceline on 03444 111 444 for advice and information over the telephone. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.

Advice and information is also available from the website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk and local information is available at: www.ruraldevoncab.org.uk .