PRUDENCE on the part of the Phoenix Theatre and Arts Centre has led to Whitehill Town Council slashing its core funding grant to the theatre by more than 20 per cent.

On Monday the full council rejected the recommendation by the finance and policy committee to give the Station Road theatre £16,000 in core funding and instead agreed to a grant of £13,000.

Town councillors were concerned that an increase in profits and an under-estimation of figures meant that the Phoenix was asking for more money than it needed.

Chairman of the finance committee Don Mayes, who did not support the £16,000 application when it was discussed by the committee, pointed out that the Phoenix had £23,000 in its reserves and that if it were to receive the full grant, would have almost £40,000 to spend.

Mr Mayes also pointed out that the Phoenix had admitted under-estimating its income for the new financial year and, with healthy reserves, was being prudent in its finances.

But fellow committee member Philip Harrison pointed out that £23,000 amounted to only two monthsÕ running costs for the theatre, which he said was Òat the lower end of the scaleÓ recommended by the Charity Commission to be kept in reserves.

Zoya Faddy pleaded with the council to give the full amount because the theatre and arts centre was growing and needed core funding to keep the momentum going.

She said: ÒWhat I believe very strongly with any community organisation is that so much of their funding is through project funding and I feel very strongly that it is crucial that they need core funding with no string attached.

ÒThe work that the Phoenix is doing is flying the flag for the community. It is carrying out its work further afield and putting Bordon on the map.Ó

Geraldine Wilson said that the town council had to Òjustify every pennyÓ given to organisations and that the Phoenix should only be given the whole £16,000 if it really needed it.

ÒIt needs to be for the benefit of Bordon,Ó she said.

Ms Wilson said that as a user of the theatre, she thought it did a great job but pointed out: ÒA theatre is a luxury for any town - including ours.Ó

Don Mayes agreed and said that Bordon residents should not be left to pick up an unnecessary bill.

ÒShould (the Phoenix) make the people of Whitehill pay for them being cautious?Ó

He proposed that the theatre should be given £13,000 in core funding which was supported by the council by a five to four majority.