A LOBBYING mission has begun to safeguard the future of the citizen’s advice service in Burnley and Padiham.

Bosses at the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) fear that £75,000 cuts will put their legal and welfare support work across the borough in jeopardy.

Trustees’ chairman Peter Kenyon has written to every councillor stressing the importance of the independent and impartial facility.

But the CAB will now redouble its efforts ahead of a full council meeting next week, when proposals will be debated which could see its council grant halved.

Burnley Council’s Liberal Democrat administration says ‘tough decisions’ have to be made as part of a £427,000 cuts package for 2010-11.

Their own government grant has only risen by 0.5 per cent, which they insist is a cut in real terms.

CAB manager Claire Strachan said the move could hamper the council’s commitments under its local area agreement, which pledges to support vulnerable groups at risk of financial hardship.

“One of the biggest groups we deal with is the 50-plus age bracket, which has been one of the major victims of the current economic climate,” she said.

“Where are they going to go if the only independent service available in Burnley is taken away?”

Coun Julie Cooper, Labour group leader, has tabled a council motion on the issue, saying: “This council recognises the achievements of Burnley and District Citizens Advice Bureau and the vital role they play in ensuring that local citizens receive the appropriate advice with their problems.”

Council bosses had attempted to debate the issue behind closed doors, on financial grounds, despite the CAB grant being a standard budget item for many years.