GRANT-GIVING at Lyme Regis Town Council proved controversial yet again with some organisations receiving no funding.

An extraordinary full council meeting was called on Wednesday to allocate grants of up to £3,000 to local organisations.

But despite a new policy being introduced for this year, councillors admitted the system still required improvement.

The council considered 20 applications requesting a total of £26,490.78, but gave out £20,034 to 17 organisations.

Five organisations - Citizens Advice Bureau, Life Education, Victim Support, Axe Valley and west Dorset Ring and Ride, and Parents 4 Parents - with a 'critical need' or targeting disabled people were given the whole amount requested without question.

Other organisations that did not fulfil the criteria set out in the rules were refused any funding or received less than they requested.

Charmouth Scout Group, which requested £1,000, was ruled out because it was not based in Lyme Regis, despite having members from the town.

Coun Terry O'Grady said: “It might set a precedent for next year for groups from Charmouth that involve people from Lyme Regis and we might get an influx.”

The Philpot Museum was also refused its £1,000 funding for its extension project because it did not provide enough information about alternative funding.

Coun Lucy Campbell said: “The application was not as clear as it should be and for that reason it should be excluded.

“That's not to say I don't support the museum but I think we should stick to the rules.”

Councillors were concerned that the application from Uplyme and Lyme Regis Cricket Club for £1,491 for grounds equipment showed no evidence of alternative grants or fundraising.

For that reason, they were granted £745.50, half of what was requested.

Some members were concerned that several applications had come under the umbrella of Lyme Regis Development Trust, including community trips and the Hub.

Coun Ellis said: “If we allow this to go through we are opening up a case for any other organisation to set up separate organisations under one umbrella.”

Deputy town clerk Mark Tredwin said each one is a separate organisation and the development trust is there as a 'conduit'.

There was also concern that the Hub applied for £3,000 for heating and ventilation when it has already received £50,000 from the town council, plus £10,000 annually.

Coun Ellis said: “They should be using the money we have given them through the year.”

Coun O'Grady said the Hub is an 'ongoing project' and members voted to keep the organisation on the list.

There were also applications from Lyme Regis Development Trust and LymeNet, both for computer equipment, which qualified for section 137 funding (enables local councils to spend money on activities for which they have no other specific statutory expenditure).

An application from Woodmead Halls for £20,000 towards an extension of the building was not considered at the meeting because the council said it fell outside the guidelines of the minor grants.

Mr Tredwin said the application does however raise awareness among members of the need for funding.

The grants (amount requested in brackets)

  • Citizens Advice Bureau - £2,905 (£2,905)
  • Life Eduction - £161 (£161)
  • Victim Support - £250 (£250)
  • Arts Fest - £200 (£200)
  • Ring and Ride - £1,500 (£1,500)
  • B Sharp - £1,500 (£1,500)
  • Charmouth Scout Group - £0 (£1,000)
  • Community trips - £1,324 (£1,324)
  • Cricket club - £745.50 (£1,491)
  • Fossil Festival - £1,000 (£1,500)
  • Gig Club - £1,687.50 (£2,250)
  • Majorettes - £2,000 (£1,263.26)
  • Operatic Society - £574 (£574)
  • Pantomime Society - £917 (£917)
  • Parents 4 Parents - £1,350 (£1,350)
  • Philpot Museum - £0 (£1,000)
  • The Hub - £2,617.74 (£3,000)
  • LymeNet - £1,909.18 (1,909.18)
  • Development Trust - £129.82 (£1,659.60)