Face to face appointments with the Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) will return to Ross-on-Wye on Monday, October 17th.

The appointments are available once each fortnight in Ross Library.

The CAB service stopped in Ross in May 2015, following a major reduction in funding from Herefordshire Council. Following this closure, Town Councillor, Caroline Utting proposed that Ross-on-Wye Town Council put money in their budget to re-instate a CAB in Ross.

Cllr Utting told the Ross Gazette: “I’m really pleased we’ve been able to help set up a presence in the town of the CAB. Hopefully it will develop and be supported for the forseeable future.”

She added: “Yet again, Ross Library proves it’s a hub for the Community.”

The Mayor of Ross, Councillor David Ravenscroft was also delighted that the CAB?was returning to Ross. He told the Gazette: “I think the CAB is a marvellous service. It is very much needed by some of the more vulnerable people in the town, and we need to do everything to make sure the service continues.”

Mark Calvin, the Vice Chair of Herefordshire CAB said: “We’re absolutely delighted with the support of the Town Council. It reflects more widely, to help positive views in the market towns. We are very happy to be able to nurture the relationship and take it as far as we can.”

Mark was at the full meeting of Ross Town Council on Monday, October 10th; he gave the Councillors an update as to how Herefordshire CAB is progressing. He spoke about the difficulties of securing funding and said that the market towns have offered them a support lifeline. He added: “We are actively seeking additional sources of income.”

There are a number of different ways that local people can access the CAB; they can call, text or email, and one of their volunteers will respond as quickly as they are able to.

If a person then requires it, a face-to-face appointment can then be made. The CAB meetings will be held in a soundproof room at Ross Library, where they will be able to receive private, confidential advice.

To contact the CAB, call 0344 826 9685. This service is available on Monday and Wednesday, between 10am and 3pm.

Alternatively, you can text the volunteers and they will call you back. Text ROSS + Your Name to 0786 00 77 311, and one of the CAB’s volunteers will call you back during their opening hours.

Or you can email the volunteers: [email protected]. They aim to reply within three to four working days.