NORTH Down Citizens Advice Bureau (NDCAB), which held its recent annual general meeting at Bangor Library, has the twin aims of safeguarding human rights and getting a fairer deal for everyone in the community.

However, the well-attended meeting heard there was a need for more volunteer advisers to maintain the excellent service provided by NDCAB.

In the absence of chairwoman Leanne Brown, vice-chair John Corey welcomed everyone, especially Alderman Alan Graham, the new Mayor of Ards and North Down, as well as Councillors Noelle Robinson and Peter Martin. Kelly Andrews, from Citizens Advice Northern Ireland, was also present.

Alderman Graham commended NDCAB on its hard work and highlighted the economic benefits the staff and volunteers provided to their many clients.

“People today increasingly face economic pressures,” he said, “and the debt advice provided by NDCAB is crucial to our society. The new council area, with a resident population of 156,672 according to the 2011 Northern Ireland Census, is very different to that of the past and this will bring new challenges for the Bureau’s staff and volunteers.”