Councillors have backed a proposal to extend Test Valley's small revenue funding for a further year.

A proposal was brought forward by Cllr Terese Swain at a cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, March 4 to extend council support for charitable and voluntary services across the Test Valley.

In February 2022, the cabinet approved a three-year cycle of funding to support the community and voluntary sector to increase the quality of life of residents in Test Valley.

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Within the same report was a recommendation that smaller funding awards made to five organisations should be made for two years, and a review should be undertaken in time for the 24/25 financial year.

The council currently supports Youth in Romsey, Age Concern, King Arthur’s Way Community Association (KAWCA), Relate and Mind to a combined annual total of £27,374 in 2023/24.

Cllr Swain said: "A small revenue grant funding report is essentially a simple report to extend smaller revenue grants for four organisations for a further year.

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"In 2022, the cabinet considered a review of the council revenue funding programme which made several recommendations about the future of the programme. One of these was how organisations could apply for funding in the future.

"A one-year extension will bring the funding back in line with a three-year cycle which the whole funding programme works on, and there will be a funding review in 12 months.

"In the meantime, by extending our funding to these organisations we are extending the support which they provide to the ones most at risk in our communities.

"A further year of funding is clearly the proper and best thing to do."

Cllr Phil North seconded the proposal by Cllr Swain. 

Cllr Drew added: "If you look at the organisations we are supporting, it is obvious we should be providing support to our younger people as they are the future, Age Concern as well for our older residents who contributed massively to life here in the Test Valley. I'm very happy to support."

Councillors voted in favour of extending the funding for a further year.