Newport council grant cuts a 'huge blow' for town

Cash-strapped Newport Town Council plans to hand out £10,700 in annual grants in 2014/15 – down from £16,250.

The budget has already been agreed by councillors and is set to be rubber-stamped at a meeting next Wednesday.

The worst-hit group is the Town Team, which is only set to get £1,000 despite requesting £5,000 to part-fund its manager. The group is made up of business owners and aims to boost trade in the High Street.

The Newport Carnival, meanwhile, will receive £500 after requesting £1,000 and the Regeneration Partnership £750, down from £1,000.

The Heart of England in Bloom team, however, will receive its full £7,500.

The Newport Civic Society has questioned the need for the cuts. Chairman David Parker, who is also involved in the Town Team, said: "The proposed cuts could strike a fatal blow to the Town Team and the voluntary sector.

"It could be a massive blow to the town's future. One of the suggestions is to make swingeing cuts to many significant voluntary groups who stage successful town events or work for the benefit of the town. It could render them unviable."

The civic society said savings should be made to staff costs, where £126,025 has been budgeted.

Lee Jakeman, town council clerk, said groups can come back to the council throughout the year and ask for more cash if they hit hard times. He said £5,000 had been put aside for "ad hoc grant funding" – £2,000 more than last year.

Mr Jakeman said: "The council has met a number of times to discuss the pressures on the budget and made a decision on what was important to it. There is a chance some of these things which have been seen as less important might get some reprieve. The budget can be changed. Money can be moved around. Those who receive grants are always told they shouldn't assume they will get the same next year. They shouldn't be solely reliant on council money. It doesn't mean they cannot come back and apply for crisis funding."