Citizens Advice closure plans are put on hold after protests

PLANS to close four out of five of Edinburgh's Citizens Advice Bureaux have been suspended in the wake of angry protests.

The Evening News revealed last week how the service wanted to close the Pilton, Leith, Portobello and Fountainbridge branches and centralise services in Dundas Street as part of a cost-cutting move.

But that immediately drew criticism from politicians and volunteers who demanded a re-think.

Citizens Advice Edinburgh has now confirmed that the plans are on hold while a full consultation is carried out.

The final straw was said to have come during a meeting with volunteers at Broughton High School when Edinburgh West MSP Margaret Smith launched a scathing attack on the board, backed by the 80 or so volunteers who had turned out to hear their plans.

Leith CAB volunteer John Murphy said: "Margaret was fantastic. The board were embarrassed into admitting that they didn't have the first clue how the reconstituted service would run without the backing of volunteers."

Ms Smith admitted that she gave CAE "a roasting", and added: " I made clear my opposition to the plans and my willingness to help find a solution. It was clear from the volunteers' comments that they hadn't been consulted by the CAE Board and didn't want local offices to close."

CAE chief executive Martin Ashing said that the drastic move was necessary due to the increasing cost of keeping the local centres open.

He said: "It wasn't our intention to pick a fight over this, but following a rigorous debate with our volunteers and local politicians, we've decided to suspend the decision."

City council leader Jenny Dawe meanwhile criticised CAE's continuing insistence that council funding was to blame for the crisis.

She said: "To blame the Council for their change of strategy was a travesty enough. To present the volunteers, upon whom they rely to give advice to clients, with such a decision without full consultation and their backing, was equally awful."

Councillors, MPs and MSPs from across the political spectrum have also welcomed the move to shelve the plans.

Edinburgh Central MSP Sarah Boyack said: "I hope that there will now be a rethink on these flawed plans. The needs of vulnerable people must come first."

Conservative councillor Iain Whyte has tabled a motion at the council, noting CAE's concerns over lack of funds and calling for urgent action to maintain the current branch network.