A £5,000 one-off payment has gone some way to securing the service of a centre giving free legal advice.

The amount needed to keep the part-time deputy manager in their job at the Oxhey and District Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) for a year is £6,575 and the manager wrote to Watford Rural Parish Council informing it of the fact.

Miss Jan Evans, manager of CAB in Bridlington Road, South Oxhey, said the money was needed to pay for her deputy often involved in case work which could end up in court or tribunal.

The payment comes from a saving after Watford Council asked for around £5,000 less this year from the parish council for the upkeep of the cemeteries in the area.

The decision to pay-out the £5,000 was made at the parish council's meeting in Oxhey Drive, South Oxhey, on Wednesday, July 3.

Parish Clerk Mr Roger Osborn said: "The members recognise the valuable contribution to the area the CAB give and on this occasion are making the one off grant available."

Mrs Evans, has been manager of the CAB 10 years. She said they are "indeed very grateful," and thanked the parish council for its support.

She said: "Both the rural and Three Rivers District Council have always been very supportive. We will look for other sources to make up the difference."

She added: "There are always other things we could do if we had more money."

July 8, 2002 16:30