VOLUNTEERS at Gisborne’s Citizen Advice Bureau can look forward to the rest of 2017 content in knowing their services are now fully funded for the year.
After losing out on $16,000 of funding from Gisborne District Council in August, the future for the Bright Street-based organisation looked in doubt, but after securing a $1600 from The Sunrise Foundation at the end of last year, Gisborne CAB chairwoman Barbara Baillie confirmed the service would continue into 2017.
“We are also getting a COGS (Community Organisation Grants Scheme) grant, and with those added to others we are now funded for the year.
“We are very pleased that we are able to carry on our services. We were concerned that we might have to limit these due to lack of finances.
“Our annual running costs are approximately $35,000, which covers rent, electricity and computers.”
Other grants had already been received from Eastland Community Trust, JN Williams Trust and Eastern and Central Community Trust.
Gisborne CAB's previous $16,000 service level agreement with GDC ended after the council’s community development and services committee decided to replace those agreements with an open contestable multi-year grant scheme in November, 2014.
Although Gisborne CAB made an application for funding under the new system last year, it was turned down.