BORDONÕS Voices group has been thrown a valuable financial lifeline which will allow it to continue to pay for a creche in the town for the next six months.
Councillors heard at TuesdayÕs meeting of East Hampshire District CouncilÕs north east area community committee that the Bordon group was in financial trouble because it had had its grant cut by the Hampshire Voices Federation and the minimum wage had increased its costs.
In his report to the committee, area coordinator Keith Chadwick said: ÒThe applicant states that Bordon Voices needs a financial boost to ensure it remains viable for at least one year and to allow time to secure permanent funding.
ÒThe grant from the Hampshire Voices Federation has been decreased from £1,500 a quarter to £1,000.
ÒThe Bordon unit also has to meet the additional cost of paying its creche workers the national minimum wage which will, over a year, increase its revenue costs by nearly £2,000.
ÒThe reduction in grant and the additional cost of the creche workers has created an urgent financial problem for the unit.
ÒTo help offset this they have introduced a charge of £1 a week to all members, which it is hoped will raise about £500 in a full year.
ÒThey have also reduced the hours of some of their paid staff and are seeking external funding for special projects such as Avon Tyrell courses.Ó
Mr Chadwick said the group was in the process of negotiating its core funding with the NHS and Hampshire County Council.
Zoya Faddy (Bordon and Whitehill) expressed her sadness that poorer families who use the creche were suffering.
She said: ÒThis is an example of government legislation causing hardship.
ÒI find it ironic that legislation which is supposed to improve the situation for poorer families is hitting those poorer families the hardest.Ó
Councillors unanimously agreed to a grant of £1,000 which would meet the groupÕs extra costs for six months.