GOOD causes in Ludlow are bracing themselves for cuts in the funding that they receive from the Town Council.

They have been warned that major cuts in funding are inevitable as the Town Council prepares its budget for next year.

One of the group’s that benefits is the Ludlow Assembly Rooms that has warned that it would not be able to continue without funding from the Town Council.

The money is not only important in itself but is considered to be vital in being able to leverage support from outside organisations.

Ludlow Town Council says that the reduction in grant support of more than 25 per cent next year is inevitable. However, it has said that as far as possible it will try to achieve the savings by reducing funding to the various groups it supports rather than taking all of the money away.

Gina Wilding, Ludlow’s Town Clerk, has said that the cuts are unavoidable because of the loss of money from a pot that used to come from central Government via Shropshire Council.

But faced with its own cuts Shropshire Council has said that it will retain rather than pass the money on to town and parish councils.

“Ludlow Town Council is in the process of setting the budget for 2016/17,” said Gina Wilding the Town Clerk.

“Budget reductions are necessary in next year because of the loss of nearly £35,000.00 Council Tax Support Grant from Shropshire Council.

“As part of the 2016/17 budget setting process, a number of savings have been made by working differently, such as changing to perennial planting, which has enabled a budget reduction from £6,000 to £2,000 and the council is working even harder to making economies in all purchases.

“Every line of the budget is reviewed including community grants and whilst the town council realises that support for community facilities and events is important, reductions are being made.

“The total grants awarded by Ludlow Town Council in 2015/16 was £40,593.00.

“In 2016/17 this amount may be reduced by £11,913.

“The savings are being made by reducing the level of funding awarded because this is preferable to the loss of all funding and evidence of local support. Organisations wishing to attract funding from other bodies often need evidence of local funding support.

“Although funding has to be reduced, Ludlow Town Council continues to work to support the local community.”

Organisations that depend upon funding for Ludlow Town Council include the Assembly Rooms that has said that the money it receives from Ludlow Town Council is vital.

The Town Council also supports the annual Fringe Festival that brings money into the economy of the town and provides a vital boost to Ludlow traders.

Following the loss of the traditional Shakespeare based summer arts festival the Fringe has moved to fill be gap with a programme of activities.

Ludlow Town Council also provides funding for a number of charities and good causes including the Home Start programme that supports young families.

Small Project Support Grants of £200 are available from Ludlow Town Council. Individuals and groups can email townclerk@ludlow.gov.uk or call 871 970 for an application form.