A COUNCIL boss has put back a decision about whether to put thousands of pounds towards a community cafe scheme.

Friends of Droxford Church wanted £75,000 from Hampshire County Council's £1million Community Buildings Capital.

But council leader Roy Perry has deferred the final say so.

The group says that funds would help the church set up a community cafe run by volunteers.

Plans include converting some of the space into the cafe.

Funds would contribute towards the cost of extending the church to provide toilets, a kitchen and a small office space.

With Phoenix Futures, a residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre, nearby the hope is that residents there could volunteer at the cafe as part of their rehabilitation.

Church representatives told a sub-committee how this represented the largest community project in the area for 180 years.

A report to Cllr Perry, who is also Executive Member for Policy and Resources, recommended approval.

Meon Valley councillor Roger Huxstep said: "There's a problem in Droxford - there's no other place where people can meet where alcohol will not be served.”

But Cllr Perry requested more proof the money was needed.

He said: "I think there's got to be some hard evidence this is not just deciding to provide a toilet for the church, that it will demonstrably be there for community use."