THE head of the Citizens Advice Bureau in the Borders has told councillors that any changes to the way money and welfare advisory services are delivered in the region must remain free, confidential, independent and impartial.

“These are key elements on which we cannot compromise,” said Euan Robson, chair of the Borders CAB Consortium representing the three bureaux operating in the region.

Addressing last week’s full meeting of Scottish Borders Council, which currently provides annual funding of £227,250 to the consortium, Mr Robson noted that the three-year contract with SBC would expire at the end of March.

“We know that the council when considering future funding decisions will be looking at advice services in the round and how other agencies, including housing associations, deliver advice to Borderers.

“Whatever the outcome of these deliberations, I hope councillors will appreciate that the CAB offers excellent value for the money we are given.

“For our part, we will insist that our service remains free, confidential, independent and impartial.

“Earlier in his presentation, Mr Robson highlighted the work of the three local bureaux in 2015/16 – Peebles CAB which has three staff and 21 volunteers; Central Borders CAB, based in Galashiels, with five staff and 32 volunteers; and Roxburgh and Berwickshire CAB, with offices in Hawick, Kelso, Duns and Eyemouth, which has four staff and 43 volunteers.

Over the year, the three bureaux had given 30,824 pieces of advice to 5,355 clients, helping them make financial gains of £3.9m.

The most common requests for assistance related to benefits, tax credits and national insurance (10,036 pieces of advice), debt (7,963), financial products and services (2,191), housing (1,376), tax (1,199) and NHS concerns and complaints (1,148).

“Our invaluable volunteers represent the equivalent of 20 full-time equivalent staff providing accurate and consistent advice that is cost effective, flexible, accountable and accessible,” said Mr Robson.

“They are all committed to maximizing the available income of clients and preventing social deprivation.”

Accompanying Mr Robson at the council meeting was Rhona Calder, manager of the Roxburgh and Berwickshire CAB, who highlighted the issue of debt
She revealed that her bureau had been visited by 339 individuals last year with debt problems and each of these had an average debt of £14,000.

“However, our biggest challenge is attracting volunteers, many of whom benefit greatly from the experience and go on to become highly employable,” said Ms Calder.

“We’re always on the lookout for more, via social media and word of mouth.”