A VITAL service that helps the people of Clydebank, and beyond, is under a “real risk of possible closure” due to underfunding.

The Independent Resource Centre (IRC), based at 627 Dumbarton Road, Dalmuir, help struggling residents on a range of issues - from welfare problems to debt advice.

But the charity are facing a funding shortfall and Councillor Jim Bollan will put forward a motion at tomorrow’s council meeting (February 26) asking members to agree to providing the IRC with additional ring fenced funding of £143,519 from reserves, each year, over a five year period, starting in 2020/2021.

Speaking before the full council meeting, Mary Collins manager at the IRC, told the Post: “We’re hopeful there will be a positive result.

“Last year, we regained through the benefit system, 7.5million back into people’s pockets – that is a tremendous amount of money that is being spent locally.

“If we were to close it would be disastrous, it would be a major loss to the people we help.”

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The IRC has evolved from different action groups in the 1970s into workers’ and community resource centres, but it has now been 28 years in its current form - helping Bankies who are most in need.

Councillor Jim Bollan added: “It is critical the IRC, as one of the council’s partners, is saved from imminent closure due to under-funding.

“This is a value for money project and the consequences of closure would be devastating and unthinkable.

“The centre is unique in Scotland and constantly delivers for the most needy in our community.

“As the Tory cuts deepen and become more pernicious, the survival of this centre needs to secured by WDC.”