Tens of thousands of pounds are set to be handed out to voluntary groups following approval by East Cambridgeshire District Council’s Operational Services Committee.

Members agreed to award more than £46,000 to Citizens Advice West (CAWS) and almost £40,000 to Voluntary and Community Action East Cambridgeshire (VCAEC) over the next two years.

The money will be used to support CAWS to deliver free, confidential, impartial and independent advice to enable local residents to deal with a wide range of issues, including benefits, housing, money advice, employment, taxation and many more.

At VCAEC, the funds will support a “one-stop shop” operation that delivers services through volunteers to local people through a range of voluntary and community sector organisations within East Cambridgeshire.

Councillor Julia Huffer, Chairman of the Operational Services Committee, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be continuing to support these worthwhile services across the district.

“The Council is committed to ensuring that all residents have access to services that meet their needs. The district is dealing with the ongoing impacts of COVID and therefore it is essential that services are in place to effectively meet the needs of communities, in particular those that are most vulnerable.

“Both of these organisations have been invaluable to residents over the last 18 months and we know that by providing them with this extra support, they can continue to make a positive impact on the lives of people living here.”

The funding provided is for a two-year Service Level Agreement (SLA) that will be in effect from 1st April 2022 until 31st March 2024.

The SLA for CAWS will cost £46,332 while the SLA for VCAEC will equal £39,530.

Both will be funded from resources in the Communities and Partnerships budget at East Cambridgeshire District Council.

You can find the full report in the agenda on the Council’s website.