DISGRUNTLED comments met Waverley's decision to pump more than £20,000 into Haslemere-based projects at a council meeting.
Speaking at last week's meeting of Waverley Borough Council's executive committee, councillor for Godalming and leader of Waverley's Liberal Democrats Chris Slyfield, said: "Haslemere seems to have its hand firmly in the cookie jar at the moment".
Mr Slyfield's comments followed the council's decision to provide funding for a £4,750 project to refurbish a teaching and seminar room at Haslemere's Educational Museum and a £20,000 scheme to lay an artificial turf pitch at Woolmer Hill sports ground.
"We have spent in excess of £1 million on The Herons, hundreds of thousands of pounds have been provided to The Edge, and Woolmer Hill sports ground has also received funding," stated Mr Slyfield.
He then went on to question whether there was enough publicity for the availability of Waverley funding and assistance in preparing funding applications.
Responding to Mr Slyfield's concerns, leader of the council and councillor for Hindhead, David Harmer said he had spoken to Waverley's chief executive Christine Pointer minutes before the meeting, discussing the funding system and Haslemere's applications.
Mr Harmer said: "It is clearly the case that a well-put- together presentation does indeed secure funding and we encourage this. But we have also set up a system which helps applicants put together their presentations."
Both applicants from Haslemere, he added, made "well-thought-out and professional" presentations to Waverley.
Mr Harmer then suggested any organisation in Waverley which was seeking funds should contact its local councillor who could put it in touch with a Waverley officer, who could give advice about how to make the best application.
The Woolmer Hill project, managed by Haslemere Sports Association, was awarded a £35,000 grant from last year's budget but since the first grant was approved, the cost of the project has risen from £325,000 to £355,000.
Under the council's matched funding system both the museum and Haslemere Sports Association have had to generate funds from other sources before they are eligible to receive any money from Waverley.
Later in the meeting it was revealed by Waverley's portfolio holder for leisure, culture and youth, Richard Gates, that Woolmer Hill was the first ground in the south of England to receive funding from the Football Foundation.
Mr Gates said he had a "great deal of sympathy" with Mr Slyfield's opinions and that in his own view it is the articulate and organised group that benefit the most from Waverley's matched funding scheme, and award projects from other sports or cultural bodies.
But voicing her support for Haslemere, Jean Mansley said Haslemere had received "next to nothing" during the first 20 years of Waverley Borough Council.
She added: "Both of these organisations are very experienced at putting together funding applications-they have had to do that to survive.
"And it is to their credit they have been so successful as applicants, otherwise they wouldn't be flourishing as they are today."