Lib Dem says More 'bangs for bucks' out of Volunteers

12.00.00am GMT Sun 2nd Dec 2007

Speaking at the meeting of Mid Devon District Council's Executive on 6th December, Cllr David Nation, leader of the Council's Opposition Lib Dem Group, urged the Executive not to apply a 5% reduction in the budget for voluntary groups.

Cllr Nation said "We get more 'bangs for our bucks' out of the voluntary sector than we can ever get out of statutory sector. We have already frozen the Grants budget for the last 2 years. A 5% cut now is draconian and will severely reduce the extent to which the voluntary sector can continue to enhance the quality of life of our citizens."

He added "Mention has been made of Villages In Action, which we help fund in partnership with several neighbouring authorities. This group brings entertainment to communities across our district, often the more remote villages, which benefit less than most from the work of this council. I don't agree with the decision that arts and culture should not be a priority for this council and I hope the Executive will not do something now that they live to regret. You are already considering reinstating the budget for economic development that was scrapped against the wishes of my Liberal Democrat group less than a year ago. Please don't make the same mistake with support for the voluntary sector."

Despite Cllr Nation's plea, the Executive agreed to accept the recommendations to impose the budget cut and re-examine commitments to several voluntary bodies, including Crediton & District Community Transport, Home Start, Villages In Action and Tiverton Museum. Afterwards Cllr Nation said that he was disappointed. He said "Despite the fact that the new Executive has wider powers, funding these groups is amongst matters where the full Council has the final say when it fixes a budget in February. If the Executive maintains this stance, I fully expect an attempt to reverse it then."