East Lothian Courier | News | Fear for projects in wake of cuts

Thursday, 20th November, 2008

Published: Thursday, 21st August, 2008 08:30

Fear for projects in wake of cuts

PRESTONPANS Community Council fears that cuts in annual funding provided by the local authority will bite into the grants its gives to community groups.

East Lothian Council has pruned community council budget county-wide.

And Councillor Willie Innes, who was at last Tuesday’s meeting, was left in no doubt about residents’ feelings on the subject.

Member Viv Glew said that the group usually donated to eight or nine local youth groups, including Prestonpans Gala and Preston Lodge Mini Rugby Club, but would now be forced to cut back on the amounts they gave.

She said: “These cuts will probably continue into next year and this could affect the future of these groups.”

Chairman James Yule said that he feared the budget cut was “just the tip of the iceberg”, and that the council would introduce further cuts next year.

Funding for the Christmas lights would also be affected by the cut-backs.

In addition,the community council was expected to provide a health and safety assessment of its festive lights’ display as part of new regulations.

This too would have financial implications.

Members also noted that projects requiring essential funding, such as Polwarth Park and Mercat House, could also be potential victims of the cut-backs.

It was decided to contact East Lothian Council for a more detailed explanation and advice on how the reduced grants might be allocated.

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