MAJOR changes in the way that the Petersfield CitizensÕ Advice Bureau is funded by East Hampshire District Council were due to be debated last night.

If the proposals are given the go-ahead by the councilÕs decision making cabinet in January, it could mean a big increase in funding wrapped in a three- year package for Petersfield CAB as well as neighbouring CABs at Whitehill and Alton.

Petersfield CAB is asking for £66,000 this year which is a £7,000 increase in its funding from EHDC last year.

The rethink over CAB funding follows a special study carried out last year by EHDC when chairman of the then community services committee John Venning highlighted the ÒarbitraryÓ system of grant giving to the CAB which currently exists at EHDC.

Proposing that the study should be carried out, he said that the CAB was the single most important organisation that EHDC supported. ÒIt is very efficiently run, very hard working and what it does is absolutely smack-on our community strategy.Ó

During the year, district councillors attended a presentation by the three East Hampshire CABs during which members outlined their work.

Manager at Petersfield, Liz Mullenger told The Herald: ÒWe have been talking to councillors and during our presentation we were able to show how much we save the council through our work in terms of their community strategy.Ó

ÒWe very much value the time we have been given to present our case Ò

She added: ÒIt would make such a difference to us if we got this. It would mean we could get ourselves on a proper footing. We could get on with providing the service instead of worrying about money all the time.Ó

Ferris Cowper, cabinet member for finance and economy told The Herald: ÒI wanted to stop the hand-to-mouth system of funding the CABs and I asked them to come up with a statement of what they wanted from EHDC - not the minimum they need but a sum that will enable them to operate to the quality standards they set for themselves.Ó

He added: ÒThis new figure would then be maintained by the council in real terms for a further two years.Ó

He said he was not surprised that the CABs had asked for more money.

ÒBecause the council is in ever-improving financial shape, we can now give realistic consideration to this higher level of funding, Ó he said.

He also wanted the relationship between EHDC and the CABs to become a role model for other CABs and local authorities.

The matter was to be discussed by the housing and community panel last night which is chaired by Mr Venning.