24 April 2023
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: 2023/24 Annual Plan proposals
Enquiry
I was speaking with the manager of the CAB the other day about the proposed funding cut and had a couple wee points I wanted to flick through for response.
Jane said the council sent her an email on Friday April 14.
It advised, if the proposal went ahead, it would cease to receive funding from July 1 2024.
She said: "To think we are not valued is quite heart-breaking.”
She said tough times meant more people sought its services/help and she said demand had increased lately with more people needing advice in the cost of living crisis.
If the CAB were to close, which she said was a possibility if no alternative funding was found, other services would need to pick up this demand. There had been 3000 clients in Jan, Feb and March total.
She said it could last a year if no funding was found.
She said it was difficult to find this kind of funding.
She said it came as a shock to get the news.
How long has the council provided funding to the Rotorua CAB?
Response
From RLC spokesperson:
The proposal you refer to is one of a number of proposals that was supported by elected members, and outlined in the consultation document. The Draft Annual Plan is currently out for public consultation and it would be inappropriate for Council to comment on any of the proposals at this point-in-time. The finalised annual plan will be adopted at the end of June which is when we would have confirmation of which proposals have been accepted.
NB to reporter: Council has provided funding to Rotorua CAB for more than two decades.