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Leeds: Volunteers facing £1.9m grants cut
Voluntary groups in Leeds face grant cuts of £1.9m as the city council grapples with government cuts.
Where the axe will fall is being kept under wraps while council officials negotiate with the organisations affected.
In June ministers said they were chopping 1.1bn from grants to local authorities this financial year as part of plans to tackle the budget deficit.
Leeds City Council lost just over 15m in grants and is proposing to cut grants to voluntary groups as part of a plan to tackle the spending shortfall.
A report to the council's executive board detailing how organisations would be hit was discussed behind closed doors.
Coun Stewart Golton, the council's Lib Dem leader, attacked the secrecy, claiming what was needed was "full and frank" public scrutiny.
He was also concerned at plans to cut 4.8m from children's services, saying: "Voluntary groups are particularly active within youth services – and that makes them key to the future success of the department."
He was also critical that following the government's June announcement, the council had taken over two months to come forward with proposals.
Nicole Jackson, the council's chief legal officer, said the report was discussed in private as it contained information relating to the financial affairs of organisations. She added: "Once the negotiations have been concluded the information could be made public."
Alan Gay, the council's chief financial officer, said proposals for dealing with the bulk of the 15m cut were being set out publicly. The confidential part of the report related to 1.9m of the overall total.
A separate report said the council was heading for a 3.6m overspend, due to lower income from car parking, sports centre and architectural design services and increased costs for residential and care placements. Action plans have been drawn up balance the budget by the financial year end.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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