Funding cuts will hit vital local groups
POPULAR voluntary groups could be forced to fold following a major funding blow.
It's been revealed that East Dunbartonshire Council is set to slash 88,000 from the voluntary sector grants budget.
The money will be used to pay for Kirkintilloch Canal Festival, hanging baskets and Christmas lights for town centres - if the council can't find a sponsor.
The decision has raised fears that many voluntary groups across the district will not survive.
In a joint statement, the chairman and vice-chairman of the independent grants advisory committee, Phillip Rose and Gino Satti, said: "They're ring-fencing 88,000 for hanging baskets, Christmas lights and the canal festival, because they're concerned about what the public will think.
"But they should be more concerned about what the public is going to say if we cut back on grants for voluntary groups in East Dunbartonshire."
The statement goes on: "Much of the money we are left with has already been committed in three year grants, so the amount we are able to give in new grants will be drastically reduced."
East Dunbartonshire MP Jo Swinson said: "That the council's Labour/Tory administration did not announce this in the budget, and didn't even consult the elected body which was set up for that specific purpose, makes this even more underhand."
But council leader Rhondda Geekie said savings of 8million had to be found from across all services in the most challenging budget ever set by the council.
Councillor Geekie said: "The budget priorities are protecting frontline services and services to the most vulnerable in the community.
"Whilst town centre initiatives cannot be a priority in the current circumstances, in recognition of their importance in encouraging people to use our towns and support the local economy, we agreed to take a new approach."
The council leader said sponsorship was being 'actively sought' for the town centre initiatives and that the council had agreed to underwrite the costs through grants, if required, for this year.
She added: "Options for making changes to the grant policy for new grants are being explored by the grant advisory committee to lessen any potential impact on the community and voluntary sector if grant support for these town centre initiatives is required.
"Our commitment to support the voluntary sector, as stated in the budget, continues.
"A public budget consultation was carried out. This identified the priorities for our budget setting this year.
"It would be impossible to consult on every individual budget proposal, but this decision was announced in the budget and was specifically referred to in my budget speech."
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Weather for Kirkintilloch
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 14 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: North east
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Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
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