THE FUTURE of a 'crucial' support for voluntary organisations is at risk after Lyme Regis Town Council decided to delay handing out thousands of pounds in grants.

Five organisations including Lyme Forward will have to wait until February next year to discover whether funding will be renewed - after the town council decided it wanted to give other groups a chance to bid for money.

The coordinator of Lyme Forward believes the 'last-minute' decision has put the local area partnership (LAP) at risk - with funding from West Dorset District Council expected to be cut.

Coordinator Adrian Ragbourne also said he is having to search for a new job, in case the town council decides not to award Lyme Forward any funding.

He said: "Lyme Forward is at risk.

"Its funding agreement with West Dorset District Council and the town council expires on March 31 next year.

"The town council's last-minute action in delaying its funding decision until a few weeks before that date, plus WDDC's long-anticipated reduction in its share, puts a huge question mark over Lyme Forward's future work and compels the coordinator in self-protection to look for another job.

"Without Lyme Forward, Lyme Regis and its neighbours would lose an effective means of community planning, a successful fundraising operation, and crucial support for an array of volunteer-based organisations that provide unsung but vital help for those most in need."

Lyme Forward encourages local people, groups and organisations to work together for the good of the whole community - and has a service level agreement with the town council to carry out services on the authority's behalf.

Lyme Forward currently receives £13,500 a year from the town council, Lyme Arts Community Trust receives £32,000, The Hub receives £10,000, B Sharp receives £5,000 and Woodmead Halls receives £25,000.

Town clerk John Wright said: "We are looking at awarding significant sums of money.

"We should probably be saying to the town, there is some money here for you. I do think it is important we create an opportunity for everybody to submit a formal bid.

"Nobody has been given an understanding that they will be given finance.

The process is flawed. Some organisations who may be putting in a bid will see a diminished pot."

Mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Owen Lovell thinks it is important for all organisations in the town to have an equal opportunity to bid for funding.

He said: "We haven't advertised the fact that we are doing the grants.

"If we advertise, we give everyone a chance to apply for grants. In terms of funding, it won't make an awful lot of difference."

But some councillors thought it was unfair organisations have to wait until February to be informed about funding.

Cllr Anita Williams said: "Particularly groups like Lyme Forward, they have an ongoing commitment to their staff.

"I would ask very much that we consider that one. Historically, they have not had to bid. I think we need to be sensitive to their needs."

An extraordinary meeting will be held in February to confirm the council's major grants.