Both Consett and Stanley Citizens Advice Bureaux
are to cease giving advice because of poor governance and financial mismanagement. With benefit changes,
a stagnant economy and youth unemployment in the local area, the timing could
not be worse.
The national
association of the CAB has suspended the membership of the Derwentside centres and ordered them to cease
giving advice. There are no concerns over the quality of advice given by the
volunteers, it is management who have failed to address concerns about finances.
Nick Bussey a spokesman for the CAB has said:
"This
decision has been taken because of concerns about persistent problems with the
way Derwentside CAB has been governed
and managed its finances"1
The National CAB are blaming Derwentside CAB for failings but there must be
fault on both sides: Local managers have
clearly not been up to the job but National structures have not addressed these failings.
The closure
is a massive disapointment to anyone who
cares about their local community. The CAB provides a unique service that is distinct and separate
from other assistance provided by Durham County Council, The Jobcentre, Derwnentside
Homes and the MPs offices. Talks are ongoing about alternative provision but the specialist nature of the work carried out by the CAB makes that difficult.
It is the
vulnerable who will suffer: One common
reaction to falling on hard times is to bury your head in the sand. People who
take the step of going to the CAB do so
because they are in desperate need of
help. It is tragic that those in
greatest need that will pay the price for the failure of managers who were running an organisation that
was supposed to help.
Anyone who
needs advice can call the CAB on 0191 3884752. The closest functioning CAB centres are in Weardale and Chester le St.
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