The organisation will be known as Torridge, Mid Devon and Bude CAB. The organisation now has a staff of around 100 delivering advice to the community.
After the signing both Steve Davis, manager of Torridge, Holsworthy and Bude and Bill Haldane, chairman of Mid Devon, commented on the hard work that had been carried out by both organisations and the constructive atmosphere in which the negotiations had taken place. Both now looked forward to the merged organisation offering a comprehensive and united service over a wide area.
This new merger will dramatically increase the strength of the organisation and enable it to reach a wider range of people. There is also the added advantage that the organisation holds a Legal Aid Contract that delivers specialist advice on debt, welfare benefits and housing matters. This contract has just been increased to approximately £300,000 for 2009/10, and will offer local people a 'joined up' service which is vital in the present economic situation where people are experiencing multiple problems of unemployment, housing security, debt and welfare benefit issues.
The Legal Aid Contract now held by Torridge, Mid Devon and Bude CAB enables the organisation to deliver specialist legal advice across Mid, North and West Devon, Torridge and North Cornwall.
After the meeting, Steve Davis the manager said: "We live in a very competitive climate where there are many threats to our organisation, especially in these difficult economic times and our desire to improve and protect our service is very strong.
"This merger will strengthen our service over the next few years. Our service is invaluable to the community and many people will benefit from this merger. We continue to deliver legal advice of real quality which is value for money in times when it is very much needed."
The Holsworthy Citizens' Advice Bureau is on the first floor of the Manor Offices and is open on Mondays from 10am to 1pm and on Wednesdays from 10am to 4pm. The Legal Aid telephone number is 01237 479222.