STAFF may have to make cutbacks at Bishop's Waltham's Citizen Advice Bureau because of funding cutbacks.

The CAB based in the village's library had asked Winchester City Council for a £43,000 grant to keep going over the next 12 months.

But council chiefs have recommended handing over £39,500 instead leaving staff with little option but to review the service on offer to try and make some savings.

It's the second time in a year CAB staff have missed out on getting what they've asked for.

Manager Suzanne Gill said: "Over the last year we didn't reduce any of our services despite a squeeze on our funding. We run a very tight ship here but if we do get what the council's recommending we will have to look very closely at our yearly budget once again."

On average the CAB's team of four part-time workers and 17 volunteers help about 5,000 people a year with a range of problems including debt, housing and benefits. The council grant makes up the bulk of the CAB's funding and will also have to cover the 4.5 per cent pay rises for part time staff introduced last year.

"We depend on the council's money totally as it is our main source of funding," said Mrs Gill.

"But we have to fund the increases in salary which are totally out of control as they are linked to local government pay scales.''

Other community groups hoping to benefit from the cash handouts include Home Start Meon Valley.

The charity, based at Wickham Community Centre, matches up volunteers with parents of young children who need a helping hand.

Organisers of the Bishop's Waltham Festival are also hoping for £3,000 to go towards the event.

The community, arts and social performance improvement committee will make a final decision on the grants at its meeting on Thursday.