Third- sector fears as more funding agreed
CHARITIES and support groups missing out on council cash – or facing significant cuts – are fearing for the future of their “vital” services.
SNP and Green councillors have backed proposals to share £ 4 million between 23 groups which had not been awarded Communities Fund money.
But the decision means around 60 projects, previously supported by the old Integrated Grant Fund, will not receive any funding.
The £ 4m transition fund was set up when hundreds of applicants lost out under the oversubscribed Communities Fund.
Glasgow Labour, with support from the city’s Tories, suggested adding £ 1.2m to the transition fund – and paying the money over 18 months, rather than two and a half years.
But City Treasurer Ricky Bell said that plan would offer “more organisations a bit more money now but with no certainty about what happens in year three”.
Some of the extra £ 4m will go to the advice sector, meaning five of the city’s Citizens Advice Bureaux ( CAB) will not have to close.
They are still facing significant cuts, immediately in October and then “a larger cut of around 30 percent in March”. It is warning as many as 7000 people could miss out on advice as a result.
Frank Mosson, manager of Bridgeton CAB, said the funding was welcome but the cuts would have a “serious impact upon the most vulnerable in our communities”.
“Of grave concern is the news that Parkhead CAB has a 50 percent cut in their previous funds and we are seeking further clarity from council officers,” Mr Mosson added.
Glasgow Access Panel, which aims to improve access and inclusion for disabled people, is one of the groups which will not receive any funding.
It has “serious concerns around where disability falls in Glasgow City Council’s priorities”.
Young People’s Futures, a youth work programme in Possilpark, which has not been funded, has received over 900 signatures on a petition calling on the council to overturn its decision.
Satwat Rehman, chief executive of One Parent Families Glasgow, which was also not selected for funding, said the charity had been “cut adrift” by the council.
“Vital services are under threat as the council has now withdrawn its financial support.
“We are pleased for those charities thrown a last- minute reprieve, but we are devastated and at a loss to understand why our own crucial services have not been funded.”
She said single parent families are “often the most disadvantaged within society”, facing poverty and stigma.
Councillor Martin Rhodes said the Labour proposal would give the council “time and space” to find more money.
But Mr Bell said the council was facing a £ 90m shortfall due to the pandemic and a “very challenging” upcoming budget.
He said £ 47m has been awarded to 261 organisations under the Communities Fund, which was designed to open council funding up to more third sector groups.
There is “nowhere near enough money” in the fund to solve all the problems of the old grants scheme, Mr Bell added.
Greens councillor Kim Long said the extra £ 4m is “at best a sticking plaster”. But she said Labour’s proposal would have followed the “current, flawed process”. Her group’s amendment asks for proposals to be developed which could identify additional funding and to consider using any future underspends.
The SNP’s motion, amended by the Greens, passed by 13 votes to nine. An independent review into the Communities Fund process is set to take place.