CHARGES could be introduced for a summer playscheme if proposed reductions in grant money are given the go-ahead by councillors.

Burnley Play Association is just one of the voluntary sector groups that will be affected if the proposed two per cent cut on the budget is recommended for approval by the general purposes and external affairs committee.

At tonight's meeting, councillors are being recommended to approve a budget of £449,288 for the total grants.

Besides affecting the play association, which may have to reduce the number of weeks of its summer playscheme, a five per cent cut in the grant to Burnley Community Advice Centre would result in the loss of the post of credit union development officer.

Daneshouse Road Advice Centre would also suffer a five per cent cut which the management committee would have to consider how to implement. The Multi Racial Playbus would also need to seek additional income by charging parents.

Other affected groups include: Burnley Women's Refuge, where alternative funding would need to be sought for part-time posts; South West Burnley Community Development Trust, where a five per cent cut would result in the post of strategic manager being reduced to a four-day a week job with reduced pay.

The report also recommends a new grant of £1,000 be paid to the new Burnley Home-Start Scheme, which assists families facing stress and the Community Chest be increased from £1,000 to £3,500 per annum to benefit the smaller, less well-funded voluntary organisations.

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