A FUNDING boost means West Oxfordshire’s Citizens’ Advice Bureau will not have to reduce its opening hours.

The bureau, which has offices in Witney and Chipping Norton, said if funding had not been found, closing the doors early would be considered.

But West Oxfordshire District Council has agreed to maintain its £165,000 grant to the organisation this year.

Manager Barbara Shaw said she was grateful for the grant.

She said: “Our annual running costs are £400,000, so the grant from the council makes up a significant proportion of this and without it we simply would not be able to continue running the service as it is.

“We would have had to reduce the opening hours.”

Most of the money – about £113,000 – will help with the CAB’s running costs, £32,000 will fund debt and housing advice, and £20,000 will fund a home-visiting service for rural clients.

Between 2008/09 and 2009/10 the CAB saw a 48 per cent rise in debt-related inquires and a 47 per cent increase in housing-related inquiries.

Mrs Shaw said: “The demand on the service as a result of the recession has been significant and it is always a struggle to continue finding the money that is needed to keep going, but we work hard to source funding and also fundraise ourselves.

“The council has been extremely supportive over the years and we understand the financial pressure that it has faced, so we are very, very grateful to receive this grant.”

The funding boost came as part of the district council’s allocation of £274,100 of grants to voluntary organisations.

Councillor Richard Langridge, cabinet member for local economy and communities, said that although the grant pot had not been cut this year, the future was less certain.

He said: “These grants show our support and appreciation for voluntary organisations, which are vital to west Oxfordshire and many people who live here.

“We are, however, sending a clear message that the future is uncertain and the voluntary sector should be investigating other funding means wherever possible.”