Alnwick Town Council agrees to review grant scheme

A working group is to be established to develop a grant funding policy after councillors noted that support was often given to the same groups, year after year.

Coun George Mavin said: “Over the last year we have had more and more people applying for grants which is good and shows we have a vibrant community but there may be a time when we reach the limit on how much we can give.”

He expected there would be new initiatives which the town council would like to support and he suggested a five year view was required on the priorities it would support and the funding levels.

However, Coun Alan Waton suggested an annual review of funding priorities.

He said: “One of the impressions I get is that we have a list of the good and the worthy and they get money but then you’ve got new ones comes along who find it difficult to get on it.”

Coun Linda Wood Mitchell felt there should also be support for start-up groups.

Coun Alan Symmonds said: “There needs to be complete openness, clarity and consistency.”

Mayor Lynda Wearn agreed: “People have to be confident that when they apply the result is a fair and honest one.”

Coun Sue Patience also felt it was important not to over-complicate the process for grant seeking organisations.

Coun Gordon Castle suggested the criteria for funding from Northumberland County Council’s Community Chest scheme could be a helpful model to follow.