FUNDING to voluntary and community organisations in west Dorset could be cut in a bid to save the district council £80,000.

The executive committee agreed to hold a public consultation on plans to reduce grants to a number of organisations. Some of the proposals include cuts of up to 30 per cent.

Cllr Mary Penfold, district council spokesperson for enabling, which includes the voluntary sector, said current funding support of around £874,000 to various organisations is ‘unsustainable’.

Organisations facing a cut to funding include Bridport Museum, Lyme Regis Museum and Dorset County Museum. The proposals are to cut annual funding by five per cent to each of these.

Dorset Coast Forum would face a cut of 20 per cent and the Bridport Arts Centre, Dorchester Arts Centre and Sherborne Artslink each face a reduction of 7.5 per cent. The report presented to councillors states this is because the three arts organisations ‘provide excellent value for money [but] can attract a substantial amount in matched funding because of local authority support’.

Adnan Chaudry, chief officer at Dorset Race Equality Council, said he was grateful for the money the organisation does receive – but added that he has asked the district council to reconsider.

The report proposes a 10 per cent cut to their annual grant.

Mr Chaudry said: “We have pointed out all the good work we do in west Dorset, including supporting a number of people experiencing discrimination, providing advocacy and case work. We also support carers – and there are a lot in ethnic minority communities. This in particular benefits other authorities such as councils and the NHS.” 

The report states that the review ‘aims to direct future grant funding where it is most needed based on sound evidence’.

It adds: “Some grant funding from West Dorset District Council has developed organically over the years, some is allocated according to adopted strategic plans, and an “in the round” review will allow the outcome of each grant stream to be analysed so that there is a better understanding of where financial support might be best directed.”

WEST Dorset District Council (WDDC) has also launched a formal public consultation to gain views on its support to the West Dorset Partnership and Local Area Partnerships.

Cllr Anthony Alford, leader of West Dorset District Council, said: “We have a long record of support for our local communities, but as a result of significantly reduced government funding, we have to consider carefully the possible ways of giving support in the future.

“The public consultation will provide us with a broad range of views that will be carefully considered before making any final decisions. 

“The key outcome is that we direct funding where it will have the most impact to meet the needs of our communities.”

The consultation will close at 5pm on Thursday November 12 and the results of the survey will be published on dorsetforyou.com in due course after the closing date.

A final decision will be made by councillors in early 2016.