Charity could shut after council axes funding

Coventry Independent Advice Service has supported thousands of young people over three decades

A charity says it may have to shut after Coventry City Council decided to cut its annual £325,000 grant.

Coventry Independent Advice Service (CIAS) supports thousands of city residents and gives free advice on benefits and debt problems.

Chief executive Alan Markey revealed the news with "great sadness", saying the organisation has been forced to stop taking on new cases, at the end of last month.

Coventry City Council said CIAS had provided "excellent support to thousands of people over the years" and the authority would support them where they could in the future.

"This outcome may force CIAS to close, ending over 30 years of essential support and guidance from our charity to thousands of Coventry residents," Mr Markey said.

He said the funding cut came as a new grant was awarded to two other city groups, Citizens' Advice and the Central England Law Centre.

He said the charity was trying to complete work for all its current clients, some 400 cases, “as far as possible.”

“We are pursuing opportunities for partnerships and alternative funding, but the funding environment for advice charities is increasingly difficult,” Mr Markey added.

The council said services would be provided "as efficiently as possible" and aimed to create a" more integrated Coventry Advice Service".

"We are confident that this new approach will continue to support people who need the most help in the most effective way in the future," a spokesperson said.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.