Madam, Yet again the Management and Board of the Herefordshire CAB are proposing to reduce the service in Ross. As a member of Ross Rural Parish Council, I recently supported the allocation of £200 of rate payer's funds to the CAB, this was done only after assurances that the local service was to remain unchanged.

We now find that the CAB executive propose to reduce the local interview capacity by 50% and remove the appointment system from local control. I am lead to believe that the demand for the CAB service within Ross is high with a considerable waiting list for personal appointments, if this is the case, how can we countenance a reduction in the number of appointments available.

I believe that a fundamental change in the way the CAB service is operated across Herefordshire is required; this to take place after an independent review of the funding, expenditure and service organisation has been undertaken. The review must be carried out by individuals unconnected to the existing Trustees Board, who appear to exercise little or no control over the operational affairs of the present CAB organisation.

In light of the fact that in excess of 70% of the funds received by the CAB are spent on the payment of salaried staff, especially when you consider that all the operational staff are volunteers, why is it that the direct service is proposed to be cut?

I for one, am more than willing to participate in a detailed review of the CAB service in Herefordshire and look forward to the commencement of much over due action.

Patrick Hughes

Wilton