Vigorous number crunching by councillors may have scraped together much-needed cash to fund closure-threatened community groups.

Members of Merton's overview and scrutiny commission have re-calculated stringent budget proposals, which threatened the demise of voluntary sector groups, including the Ethnic Minority Centre, disability support group Merton PHAB and the South Wimbledon Community Centre.

The scrutiny commission met officers and some of the affected groups on Wednesday and were presented with draft proposals that reduced the aid given to some groups by 100 per cent.

The budget was drawn up in a bid to identify savings of more than £200,000 from the voluntary sector as part of drastic council cutbacks. Yet even though the financial year has already begun, the community lifelines have still yet to learn their fate.

Making representations on behalf of the voluntary sector, Sarah Wilson, of Merton Volunteer Bureau, called for a rethink.

She said: "The current situation of being in the new financial year is actually an unacceptable risk that they have had to accept. I ask that you at least consider the long-term effects of these cuts on the voluntary sector in Merton."

After more than an hour of debate, members recommended both the Ethnic Minority Centre and South Wimbledon Community Centre be given an extra £5,000, Merton PHAB be awarded £6,000 and they asked for the grant for Wandle Industrial Museum to be restored.

However, this is still subject to ratification by the council's cabinet committee and could still leave some groups fighting for survival.

Scrutiny commission chairman Councillor Ian Munn told the meeting: "We are in a position that I find uncomfortable, but the budget has been set. I believe we should not get into this position in future years."

April 30, 2003 11:30