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‘Concern’ over cuts for charity grants
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GRANTS for charities and organisations are set to be cut by £50,000 under new Borough Hall plans.
At the moment £399,250 is available to provide assistance for third sector support which includes cash for Bedford’s Kings Arms Project and Bedford Creative Arts.
But under the plans, which were outlined at a meeting of the Bedford Borough Council executive last night, the figure will be cut by £50,000 starting in April 2013. This year £321,000 has been allocated, with a further £78,250 held back for smaller projects.
Dave Hodgson, The Mayor of Bedford, said: “Voluntary and community organisations understand better than anyone how extraordinarily tough the current climate is, and we have consulted closely and openly with them on proposals regarding ongoing grant arrangements. While there will be a reduction in grant funding from 2013 in the context of the £36 million of annual council savings required, the council is maintaining a high level of support for the voluntary sector and has for the first time delivered a guarantee for organisations receiving grants of a minimum level of funding for the following year, giving them more certainty and stability.”
But the council’s Conservative Group expressed concern, the group’s leader Carole Ellis, said: “The Conservative Group is very concerned about this reduction in funding which can only be bad news for voluntary groups in the Borough. It is disappointing that there may not be the same level of funding available for one off grants which can make all the difference to these organisations in the current economic climate.”
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Weather for Bedford
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 19 C
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