Advice service boss thanks petition supporters

THOUSANDS of people have shown their support for the region’s threatened Citizens’ Advice Service (D&G CAS) ahead of a crunch meeting next week on its future funding. A petition to protect the service’s funding has been signed by 2148 people across the region. The council is considering withdrawing nearly £1m of funding to D&G CAS as part of budget cuts – which could potentially result in the entire service collapsing. The final decisions on services and savings options will be made at the annual budget setting meeting next Thursday. Ahead of that, service CEO Phil Stewart, above, acknowledged the difficulties for councillors, but said: “I hope that, as we approach budget decision day, we have achieved our aim. “We were greatly heartened by the numerous messages of support, demonstrating just how valued our service is across Dumfries and Galloway. I am grateful to every member of the public that has signed our petition, contacted their elected member or made their feelings known in the media or other digital platforms.”