Shetland CAB future secured

SHETLAND’S Citizen’s Advice Bureau’s immediate future has been secured by a council grant after its services were threatened by the end of National Lottery funding.

This week Shetland Islands Council stepped in to plug the funding gap that was left after Shetland Charitable Trust refused to increase its grant to the organisation last year.

The trust will maintain its annual £132,000 grant for the next three years, with the SIC pledging an extra £37,000 as well as offering help to source external funding.

Shetland CAB manager Karen Eunson said she was “delighted” with the new package.

“This means that we can continue to provide free, independent and confidential advice to the people of Shetland on a wide range of issues,” she said.

“It also helps to fund our specialist advice on social security benefits and debt.”

SIC convener Malcolm Bell added: “We’ve been aware that their funding was going to be reducing for some time, so senior officers at the council, the trust and the bureau itself have worked together to come up with this package.

“This is an excellent example of organisations coming together when faced with inevitable public funding constraints and working for the overall benefit for the people of Shetland.”

SCT chairman Bobby Hunter meanwhile said he was “pleased” the trust could work together with the council to agree a funding package.