A SLIGHT reduction in the demand for BordonÕs CitizenÕs Advice Bureau has done little to reduce its workload, it was said last Wednesday.
At the annual general meeting of the CAB bureau manager Diana Wilson said that this was probably due to various reasons, including the fact that the bureau was closed for two weeks for decorating and a gas leak.
During the year John Hancox took over the reins from Ian Graham as employment specialist.
He had 29 complex employment cases referred to him this year by the general advisors. Some were taken to tribunal, others settled out of court and 11 are still active.
Said Diana Wilson: ÒProblems and enquiries that are brought to the bureau by the local community are complex and therefore extremely time consuming and stressful.
ÒWe do, however, consider it much better to give each case as long as it needs, rather than feel pressured to get as many clients through the door as possible.Ó
The largest enquiry area over the last year was benefits, with 2,360 people making enquiries, 66 per cent of them Bordon and Whitehill residents.
Consumer enquiries was the second most popular enquiry with 2,137 people making enquiries - a three per cent rise on the previous yearÕs figure.
The debt managers at the bureau had seen 92 clients - a record number, the bureau manager said. ÒThe debt team only deals with complex multi-debt cases leaving general advisors available to deal with simple debt problems.Ó
The advice bureau, next to the Forest Community Centre, receives funding on an annual basis from local charities.
Mrs Wilson said: ÒThe help and assistance that all of the charities give is greatly appreciated by both the bureau and its clients.
ÒSo often people can find themselves desperate for maybe just a few pounds to buy food because their income support is late.Ó
Funding for the bureau was came from a wide range of sources, including Whitehill Town Council, Kingsley Parish Council and collection boxes.