Call For Re-Think On Community Funding Fails

There will be no re-think on how £1m of community funding is allocated across Harborough.

The matter was challenged by opposition Conservative councillors – who questioned why some areas will receive more money than others – and was considered by the authority’s Scrutiny Committee last night.

Councillors asked officers for clarification on the workings of the scheme, which aims to benefit all areas of the district, before a majority rejected the ‘call-in’, meaning the grant scheme will proceed as first planned.

Set amounts will be given to towns and larger villages, while over 50 smaller villages and hamlets will be able to apply for a share of £40,000.

Coalition Council leader, Cllr Phil Knowles told HFM he was pleased with the outcome:

Cllr Phil King, who called-in the matter, said: “I am very disappointed and shocked that despite the Lib Dem and Green councillors making repeated concerns with how the allocations had been arrived at, including the obvious inequity for 55 smaller parish meetings & councils in more rural areas, how both Kibworth Parish councils were lumped together and saying they wanted it looking at again, that when it came to the crunch-vote, they overrode their own concerns, acting under what appear to have been invisible orders.”