IT now looks virtually a ‘done deal’, to use the words of Otley Citizens Advice Bureau adviser and Town Councillor Jim Spencer.

By announcing that Otley and other outlying centres will “probably close in 2015”, Leeds CAB has not really told us anything new.

That, after all, has seemed like the most likely outcome ever since the organisation announced last year that it would be ‘reconfiguring’ - and essentially centralising - to make better use of its resources.

There is a modicum of comfort to be drawn from Leeds CAB chief executive Dianne Lyons’s promise that some “outreach advice provision” will still be provided in the town.

But it it is just that - a modicum.

Because Otley CAB in its current guise simply isn’t broken, and so has no need of being ‘mended’. Indeed, with a 25-strong team of dedicated volunteers, it is rather a shining example of the local community, under CAB’s welcome umbrella, helping fellow residents in need.

It is no surprise to hear that these volunteers are determined to continue their good work, even if the worst should happen and Otley CAB does close. Setting up an independent local advice service would certainly be feasible, and well supported by locals, but it would surely face a real struggle - as town council leader Councillor John Eveleigh said this week - to attract the necessary funding.

Instead, our and the Otley CAB team’s best hope is probably for a ‘third way’ agreement to be secured - perhaps involving them staying within the Leeds CAB network while receiving regular financial support, for example for their annual rent, from the town council.