AN action group which was set up to help Bridgnorth area communities with cash aid has been accused of being unfair to the town. The Action: Bridgnorth and Morfe local joint committee came under the cosh from town councillors when they met on Tuesday.
The council heard that bids for several Bridgnorth projects had fallen short, although it was stressed that attempts to gain more cash would be made at a future meeting. The local joint committee was set up as part of moves towards the new unitary Shropshire Council.
Now Simon Kenton, the local joint committee officer, is to be asked to attend a town council meeting to explaining the fundraising criteria.
Councillor Geoff Bodenham, who represented the town council at the latest meeting of the joint committee, said £5,000 had been allocated for the riverside enhancement scheme following a plea for £10,000.
A similar amount had gone to Crucial Crew after another £10,000 bid, £5,000 more had been allocated for the Children’s Festival after a £14,000 plea and £5,000 to Trevithick 200 following a request for £12,500.
Councillor Bodenham outlined successful bids for cash in other communities and explained that a total of £43,721 had been agreed, leaving £27,000 in the kitty. “I was told that I could make another applications for the same things,” he said.
But he said he felt the council should have a “special deal” or consider withdrawal from the joint committee.
“The allocations are not fair on the people of Bridgnorth,” said Councillor Jennifer Durham. “They should work to the rule book and I hope that we can check the criteria on allocations.”
“The funding should be per head of population,” said deputy mayor Councillor Mac Griffiths. “I hope we can find out what this committee’s original terms are.”