CIVIC chiefs are to abandon a three-year crowdfunding initiative to help local charities.

It was set up in 2019 but has not been popular enough to warrant it continuing, a meeting heard.

'Crowdfunding' uses the internet to raise money and the council had a three-year contract with Crowdfunder which would provide the online platform and enable organisations to access match funding from the council.

But the take-up has been disappointing. The contract expires at the end of this month and will not be renewed.

Cllr Paula Ferguson, deputy leader, told the health and environment policy committee, that the aim was to encourage more fund-raising.

READ MORE: Christmas bus brings cheer to Winchester

However over three years it raised £58,000 and was hit by the Covid pandemic. It was also taking up too much officer time.

Cllr Ferguson said the council would support local fund-raising.

Cllr Frank Pearson said many parish councils asked how they could access grants. He said Hambledon and Shedfield councils had been frustrated about accessing money from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) fund.