LYME REGIS: Councillors have backed a funding request from the Bridport Citizen’s Advice Bureau for new office equipment after a health and safety inspection claimed items were in urgent need of replacement.

The request of awarding up to £740 was discussed at last week’s strategy and policy town council meeting after an appeal from the new CAB manager, Rovarn Wickremasinghe.

A report before councillors said that the Lyme Regis branch of the CAB had already received a grant of £3,000 this year to help keep it running.

But councillors were told a health and safety check identified a number of computer chairs that needed urgent replacement, costing £390.

The CAB projector used for training volunteers also needed replacing at a cost of £350.

Cllr Mark Gage and Cllr Lucy Campbell spoke in favour of the funding, with Cllr Gage describing the CAB as an important organisation and a worthwhile cause.

But Cllr Terry O’Grady questioned whether the CAB had approached Bridport Town Council for financial support, and deputy clerk Mark Tredwin said he was not aware of a funding request to the authority.

Michaela Ellis made a proposal to award the CAB just £370, but this proposal was lost after she was the only one to vote in favour of the motion.

Cllr Anita Williams said given the need for the CAB’s outreach services in Lyme Regis, the town council should award the full amount. The proposal to award the full amount was then met with a unanimous vote from councillors.

Councillors were also asked to approve a council testimonial in support of the Lyme Regis outreach station of the CAB.

A report told councillors: “The CAB has been asked to prepare a report for West Dorset District Council making a case for its continued support in light of the district council’s review of its support for local charities.”

The CAB suggested draft wording and councillors agreed to approve the testimonial.

Any recommendations from the committee were due to be discussed at full council yesterday evening.

  • SPEAKING to The Bridport and Lyme Regis News after the council meeting, CAB manager Rovarn Wickremasinghe said: “We’re very grateful for the generous support of Lyme Regis Town Council. 

“If approved at full council, the additional grant they have voted to award will help us purchase urgently needed computer chairs and replace a faulty projector which we normally use in our volunteer training. 

“This grant would be very welcome and is in addition to the grant the council also give us which allows us to operate an outreach service in Lyme Regis on a weekly basis.”