by Alan Quick

FEARS about potential changes to Crediton Citizens Advice, as highlighted in the “Crediton Courier” on March 10, look set to become a reality.

Crediton Citizens Advice, as part of Torridge, North, Mid and West Devon Citizens Advice, 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.

Vicki Rowe, Citizens Advice CEO (Torridge, North, Mid and West Devon), recently made a presentation to a panel of councillors and officers at Mid Devon District Council.

A MDDC officer recently wrote to Ms Rowe, stating: “After due consideration of the written submissions and presentations given by all three agencies applying to the Welfare Advice and Information SLA, the panel decided to recommend to the meeting of Community Well-being Policy Development on March 28 that the indicative budget allocation of £20k-£40k be divided between all three applicants.

“The recommendations from Community Well-being PDG will be taken to the meeting of the Cabinet on April 7.

“The figure the panel is recommending for the CAB is an annual grant of £12,500 for 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2019/20. There may be room for negotiation around this figure.

“Clearly the Council would like the CAB to continue to provide a service in Mid Devon and I hope the charity will feel able to enter into a discussion about the level of service that could be provided in return for the recommended award.”

The Crediton Citizens Advice office is currently open from 10am to 3pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and it is understood that this service could reduce if the effective grant reduction as recommended by the panel goes ahead.

The Crediton office is situated in the Council Offices in Market Street.

Advice is available from the office or 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 .