Northampton Council cuts to hit bus routes

Council cuts to hit bus routes

VOLUNTARY sector workers in Northampton have warned proposed cuts to their funding could have a devastating impact on hundreds of people in the town.

Community grants – which provide vital sources of funding to many charities in Northampton – could either be scrapped or reduced by half as part of the borough council's budget proposals.

This would save the authority either £275,000 or £550,000 a year, but voluntary workers believe it would end up costing the town much more in the long run.

Sandra Bell, director of Ability Northants, which runs the Shopmobility scheme, which hires out wheelchairs and mobility scooters, said: "Even if they only stop half our funding, there is no way we would be able to run the service. Any cuts and that would be it for us.

"Hundreds of people use the service, including people visiting the town. If we had to shut they would not be able to do their shopping the town centre, and that would have a huge knock-on effect on retailers.

"The council might as well put up a sign saying: 'Northampton is closed'. These proposals are absolutely horrific."

alison.curtis@northantsnews.co.uk

15 January 2007