WHILE debt problems and changes to the benefit system have created a heavier workload for Romsey and District Citizens Advice Bureau, the service is also experiencing its own money worries.

Grants to the free service from Test Valley Borough Council have been cut by 15 per cent over a three-year period, which started in 2012.

It costs just over £100,000 annually to provide the service in Romsey and until two years ago 95 per cent of that cash came from TVBC and the rest was made up of grants from Romsey Town Council and other bodies.

This year, Test Valley gave CAB £89,353 to help fund its Romsey-based services and it is likely to get the same amount in the next financial year, butthis is £7,130 down on what it received in 2010.

Supervisor at Romsey CAB, Pam Eastwood, said: “We’ve had cutbacks in grants from Test Valley Borough Council that pays for our four part-time staff and keeps the free service going. Our overheads, such as heating and electricity, are going up all the time. We’ve been holding fund-raising events, including an open day at Longstock Water Gardens and a quiz evening at Annie’s Restaurant, at Kimbridge, to help bring in money.”

Romsey CAB has about 30 volunteers that support the four part-time paid staff at its offices in Abbey Walk.

Pam said that CABs had seen their workloads increase as changes to the welfare system begin to bite.

“Practically everyone of working age that receives benefits will be affected by the changes the Government has made to the system. It means more work for us, but we are getting less funding for doing it,” she said.

Pam warned that the situation was likely to get worse.

“We’ve seen a steady increase in the number of people coming to us for advice about debt, as they lose their jobs and benefits because of the changes the Government has made. We are already seeing people lose their homes, because they can’t afford the mortgages or rent. It’s very worrying, but we don’t ever turn away people who are in need of help and advice because often CAB is the end of the line for them,.”

Some CAB offices across the country have been forced to close or reduce their services because of a reduction in funding to run them.

“Romsey CAB is very grateful for the funding from Test Valley and Romsey Town Council, but we are now looking at other sources to help maintain the Romsey CAB service. We still provide the same level of service as we have always done. Some people are worried about the future of organisations like ourselves,” concluded Pam.

A quiz and curry night will be held at the Concorde Club, at Eastleigh, on July 30 to raise funds for Romsey CAB. Tickets cost £12 each, with teams of up to six members. Concorde Club members get a £2 discount. For more details about the event, contact Pam at Romsey CAB on 01794 522137, or call in at the bureau at 5 Abbey Walk.