NEW rules forcing town and parish councils to provide funding for projects have been described as Òarm twistingÓ by a senior Petersfield town councillor.

Under the new criteria for East Hampshire District CouncilÕs community initiative fund, applicants will have to show a substantial local contribution if they are to get district backing.

But at a Petersfield Town Council meeting this week Chris Jenner said EHDC was putting pressure on towns and parishes to give money.

ÒI feel we are having our arms twisted to give funding,Ó he said.

ÒWhat if we get a bid for £2,500 and we have £2,500 left? Do we give them it all, or say no and see the bid fail? The world and his wife will think it is us who have done the dirty on them, not EHDC.Ó

The town council agreed to write to the leader of the district council to explain future grant decisions in a bid to help projects win district council backing.

Town mayor George Watkinson said: ÒMy question is what happens if a bid for a grant comes up two-thirds through the financial year and we have no money. Does it mean the people making the bid will not get anything? I would like the chance to say to the district council why we cannot fund certain bids.Ó

But the move was branded a Ôvote of no confidenceÕ by town and district councillor Bob Ayer.

He said the fund had been extremely successful since its launch in 1999, and added that because of its success EHDC had agreed some modifications to the fundÕs criteria.

He said that the criteria regarding the local contribution, including town and parish councils, could be waived if local funding was not appropriate.

He said if EHDC had any queries about an application, PetersfieldÕs district councillors could, and have, argued the case.

He added: ÒFor the town mayor to write to EHDC is a vote of no confidence in PetersfieldÕs district councillors.Ó

Mr Ayer said Petersfield members recently persuaded the district council to give £10,000 to Petersfield Methodist Church.

ÒWe said the town council has the second highest precept and gives annual grants of £50,000. That was a strong argument and won the day,Ó he pointed out.