Lib Dems confirm commitment to community groups in Northumberland

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 1st Jul 2008

Councillor Neil Bradbury

Speaking at the Northumberland Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) annual conference to be held at Alnwick Gardens today, Councillor Neil Bradbury will calm the fears of community groups across the county over the possibility of slashed funding by the new Northumberland Authority.

Councillor Bradbury, assistant Portfolio Holder for Community Services, will promise groups that the Liberal Democrat run council will be working hard to safeguard the voluntary sector from cuts in the transition phase.

He will say, "I can assure community groups that we will look to continue the levels of grant funding they have enjoyed under the district and county councils."

Although the previous Labour run administration put forward proposals envisaging £17m of cuts to convince the national government that the county should go unitary, the new administration has moved to assure community groups that their budgets will not face the axe.

"This announcement shows how we see voluntary and community groups as crucial in delivering on our agenda to provide services locally for the people of the county," Councillor Neil Bradbury will say.

He will continue: "This is part of the reason as to why we have put a stop to Labours hated 'Belonging Communities' programme and are re-examining how to deliver services as close to the resident as possible."

Councillor Neil Bradbury will also outline the council's proposals for stronger rules to govern the council's behaviour with groups and outlined the new administrations approach to devolving decision making to local communities.

The Liberal Democrats obtained the most votes and seats in Northumberland in the election in May 2008 and have formed a minority administration to run the council. The balance of the Council is Liberal Democrats 26 seats, Conservative and Labour 17 seats with the independents having 7 seats.

Councillor Neil Bradbury is the Assistant Portfolio holder for Community Services, with a special focus on relations with the community and voluntary sector. The Liberal Democrats have led a review of the previous administrations plans and have removed the name of Belonging Communities, with a focus on more local solutions specific to each part of the county