FOR a number of years, many people from Bude and North Cornwall have been able to seek advice and support from the Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) located at the Neetside Centre in Bude.

The bureau currently opens on Mondays from 10am-2pm, a reduction from the previous three days a week.

Unfortunately, the CAB has had to give six months notice on the offices at the Neetside Centre, from April 1, 2012. This is because funds have not yet been allocated to support the service, although a resolution is being sought in the coming weeks.

Support and advice is given by the CAB on a wide range of issues, with the most frequent areas people ask for help with are about debt, benefit entitlements, employment and housing. In the last 12 months there have been over 500 contacts with clients seeking help from the Bude office.

Most of the advice is provided by local volunteers, who give up their time to support their local community. In addition, the CAB employees provide specialist support to local people including employment law expertise and representation at Employment Tribunals; support in completing Disability Living Allowance forms and appealing against dec­isions; support for cancer patients and their families, and specialist advice to those eligible for legal aid on housing, debt and benefit issues.

For the full report, and a round up of the latest news and sport, please pick up a copy of this week's 'Post'.