A SUCCESSION of council funding cuts is pushing voluntary sector organisations to the brink and could force smaller groups to close, charity bosses claim.

The 69 groups in the city which receive £1.25 million per year from the council to help 380,000 residents with specialist services in housing, adult learning, race, gender and sexuality support groups, have been warned they will received up to 10% less from Brighton and Hove City Council next year.

Studies have shown the money brings in £15.98 million of additional inward investment – the equivalent of £13 for every £1 spent by the council.

Brighton Housing Trust (BHT) chief executive Andy Winter said his charity was robust enough to cope with the latest cuts that could see £9,600 reduced from its £120,000 grant, but further funding reductions could lead to job losses.

Mr Winter warned the worst was still to come with the “real biting cuts” set for 2016. He said: “While that much is manageable for BHT, the concerns are about a culmination of 5% here, 10% here, 8% here, it all eats away at our bottom line.

“I think this culmination will be the death knell for smaller organisations, but not for us.

“We will most likely have to cut jobs and reduce services to prevent homelessness at the very time when homelessness is on the rise and more people will be turning to the council and the NHS and the police.

“It will end up costing a lot more than the reductions we are being asked to find.”

Jess Wood, founder and director of Allsorts Youth Project in Ship Street, Brighton, said: “We have tried to convince the council that in terms of reaching grassroots communities and addressing some of the core issues in the city, our small charities do an incredible job and are usually very good value for money. None of these grants are huge and we squeeze every drop of support for our service users possible out of this funding.

“We hope they protect our funding as best they can in the knowledge that small charities are at the heart of all thriving communities.”

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokeswoman said: “Our third-sector partners are aware that savings of £165,000 were identified at the budget-setting meeting in February this year, but have been delayed until February 2015.

“The council’s policy and resources committee can, however, revise its decision before February and the sum may change in line with the financial position of the council.”

  • Are you likely to be affected by the funding cuts? Email letters@theargus.co.uk or visit theargus.co.uk/letters