Citizens Advice Bureau due to return in April with £300,000 opening in Highbury
Published: 26th November, 2010
by PETER GRUNER
A NEW £300,000 flagship Citizens Advice Bureau is to open in Islington early next year to cope with the flood of people struggling with financial difficulties in the poor economic climate.
The centre, based in Highbury, fulfills an election promise by Town Hall Labour leader Councillor Catherine West after the CAB office in Finsbury Park was shut four years ago by the previous Lib Dem administration.
Five full-time paid workers will be employed at the new office, along with a team of trained volunteers.
They will man a council office in Upper Street from 9.30am to 5pm, with back-up from an internet website and telephone help.
Cllr West said: “There is a desperate need for information in the current financial climate. As soon as we got elected, plans for a CAB project were one of the first things to get off the ground.
“It will help the public to have easy access to various council services, particularly at a time when this coalition government is introducing cuts to benefits and housing.” People seeking independent help with complaints against the council will be directed to Islington Law Centre or Islington People’s Rights.
Staff for the new centre, expected to open in April, will be employed from the Royal Courts of Justice Advice Bureau, said to be one of the best CAB offices in the country.
Islington Labour MPs Jeremy Corbyn and Emily Thornberry have said they are “snowed under” by people seeking help over rent arrears and mortgages.