‘Botched’ handling of Communities Fund will hit Glasgow groups

Glasgow City Council launched a £4million scheme to support key services, including the advice sector, after hundreds of organisations missed out on Communities Fund cash. 

Recommendations for the transition fund were released on Monday, with 23 of 88 projects, previously funded by an old grants scheme, set to get some of the money they originally requested. 

READ MORE: Glasgow's Communities Fund criticised by community reps as final decisions made

Councillors will be asked to back the suggestions, which include funding for five Citizens Advice Bureaux, at a meeting on Thursday. 

But the city’s Labour group says organisations are still set to have millions cut from their funding compared to last year. 

Malcolm Cunning, Glasgow Labour’s leader, said: “Labour’s proposals were for £4m this year to provide lifeline funding. The SNP’s plan is just £888,000. 

“We were clear that there would be the same level of funding for the next two and a half years. 

“Despite assurances that this would be reflected in the proposals, they have not been.” 

A council spokesman said the City Administration Committee, which includes Labour members, approved £4m over the “current term” of the Communities Fund, which runs until March 2023. 

Mr Cunning said: “Instead of providing certainty and stability, the botched handling of this process has caused further worry and anxiety. 

“Organisations stand to lose up to 72 percent from their funding, and the Citizens Advice Bureaux will still be almost a third worse off this year than last. 

Malcolm Cunning

“Glasgow’s communities deserve so much better than this. The SNP has completely botched these proposals and it’s our vital community projects that will pay the price.” 

Conservative councillor Kyle Thornton said the funding was welcome, but 65 groups would still miss out. 

“Groups across Glasgow are going to be shuttered by the SNP if these plans go ahead. 

“We will do everything we can to work with opposition groups to soften the blow and save as many local services as possible.” 

Cllr Kyle Thornton

The council spokesman said: “The value of transitional funding approved by committee was £4m, to be available over the current term of the Glasgow Communities Fund. 

“The current proposals deliver an additional £2.27m for legal and money advice services – and brings the total level of support for third sector organisations approved since March to more than £60m.” 

READ MORE: Over 20 groups which missed out under controversial Communities Fund set to share £4m pot

The Communities Fund was set up to replace the old Integrated Grant Fund, opening funding up to more groups.  

However, there were almost 500 applicants, requesting more than £135m. The fund’s budget was around £47m.