The council’s upcoming budget from the ruling Conservatives includes plans to halve the £10,000 locality budget allocated to every councillor to provide targeted support in their community – despite also hiking council tax by the maximum permitted 4.99 per cent.
However, Liberal Democrat members say the swingeing cuts will affect already struggling charities and community groups, with many left “heartbroken” by the proposals.
Harrogate councillor Andrew Timothy said: “As one of North Yorkshire’s newest councillors, the locality budget has been the single best way I can help my community, whether it is funding crucial community projects or helping people experiencing homelessness.
“It has become my first port of call to really help where it is needed.”
The grants have supported organisations across North Yorkshire including Dementia Forward, Ryedale Food Aid, Masham Primary School, Nidderdale Community Transport and Stokesley’s pensioners’ lunch club.
Applications must be able to demonstrate a benefit to their local community and councillors say their reduction will hit the most vulnerable in our communities the hardest.
Amotherby and Ampleforth Lib Dem Cllr Steve Mason said: “The locality budget delivers genuine actions into the heart of the community.
“These small grants empower wider action at so many levels including Ryedale Food Aid, community groups such as Project Purple, nature restoration projects, rural public transport and sometimes simply keeping people warm.
“Many of those to have benefited will be heartbroken to hear about these cruel plans because if we lose these grants so much community action will be lost.
Steve added “The wider negative impact across North Yorkshire will be a scandal.”
Leader of the opposition Cllr Bryn Griffiths said: “The Lib Dems believe these grants are invaluable to our communities, as well as supporting economic and environmental wellbeing.
“Without them many groups would not be able to finance much needed projects that help support and improve the lives of our residents.”
Lib Dem councillors will ask the council to suspend the reduction in the grant funding at February’s budget-setting meeting until an independent cost-benefit report has been produced and put to the council in the autumn. This report will assess the social, economic and environmental value to communities that result from these grants.
