Grants to community groups are set to be reduced with savings being used to fund the Civic Complex and theatre.
This week Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is likely to take a step forward in their proposal, which would see its revenue grants cut by £53,750 over the next two years.
The authority has stated that ‘savings have to be made’ as central government grants completely cease from the 2018/19 financial year.
But it is likely they will decide to put some of the savings towards the £90million Complex, which has been highly contested.
A council document states: ‘As a consequence of the removal of central government grant support from 2018/19, and the additional savings needed to help fund the new civic offices and theatre development, ongoing reductions in community grant budgets will still be required.’
Plans state the authority will completely stop its revenue grants to four good causes it currently supports from 2019/20. These include West Kent Mediation, which offers relationship advice, and Relate Mid and West Kent, a counselling service.
Another seven organisations, including Shopmobility and IMAGO Community, could be hit by cuts as the authority looks to reduce its revenue grants from £251,750 [2017/18] to £198,000 [2019/20].
