RDC cuts community grants

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 677, 11 March 1997, Page 1

RDC cuts community grants

Ruapehu District Council funding for community services will be $11,000 less in the 1997/98 council annual plan, down to a total of $77,450. Councillors debated the issue of community services grants at their meeting on Thursday last week, and agreed to take into account that they will later be working to limit any rise in the district' s rates. " Before them was a list of applications totalling

$88,870. Last year's grants totalled $88,700. They agreed to a 1 0 per cent cut in funding to the major applications and a limit of $2500 to community halls applications. "This will tell the community that we're in a financial bind but also that we wish to support these organisations," said Cr Bob Peck. Ruapehu Enterprises will get $13,500; Taumarunui Citizens' Advice will get $2250; Sport Wanganui will get $29,700; and the Safer Com-

munity Council will get $18,000. Ongarue, Ngakonui and Owhango hall committees had applied for funds, each will get $2500. Other grants remained the same: Ohakune Garden Club, $100; Christmas festivals $1500; Pan charges $3000; and extraordinary grants $2000. The above figures are subject to final approval at the annual plan stage. Sports concems Cr Ellen Gould expressed concern at some of the

activities being carried out by the new sports coordinator. She said some of the activities had pervasively been done by other people. "Why are the people who started these things not carrying on with them?" she asked, adding that it may be that the sports co-ordinator can "do them a hang of a lot better". "She' 11 be lumbered with a lot of responsibilities that could otherwise be done by people in the community."