‘Please rethinkaid cut’

A deputation from Voluntary Action Kirklees was at a full council meeting to plead for a rethink on the loss of its aid.

But communities Cabinet member Coun Peter O’Neill said: “We didn’t have a choice.”

VAK spokesman Patricia Plowman said the organisation had been active for 35 years, with 1,586 people on its database this year alone.

“It would be appreciated if the council would reconsider withdrawing funding from us,” she said.

The group has written to Buckingham Palace about the situation. “We have had a reply to say the matter is being referred to the Secretary of State for communities and local government.

Coun O’Neill said: “The decision to withdraw funding was forced on us by the government’s June budget. Our grant was cut by 25 per cent.

“Last year, we anticipated cuts and launched an efficiency programme. But the massive cuts which were imposed were beyond anything we could have planned for.

“We did not have a choice. We had to make cuts. It is not the council’s fault, it is the fault of central government.”

Last year, the council donated nearly £230,000 to VAK.

A report will be prepared for the council Cabinet.