2 weeks Ago
During the financial year 2024-2025, Royal Wootton Bassett Town was able to secure over £200,000 in grant funding, and has now revealed where this money went. The official breakdown for the 2024/25 financial year is as follows: Residents were shocked to learn that the amount spent on furniture was three times greater than the amount of external grant funding currently secured for youth services in the town in 2025-2026 (£5,000). Not everyone in town agrees on how the money should have been spent (Image: Getty) Reacting to the breakdown, resident Andy Smith said: "£21,000 for furniture for the Memorial Hall and only £5,000 for youth provisions.
Wow." One resident, who did not wish to be named, added: "I appreciate how transparent our town council is but it does make you wonder if we're prioritising the right things. "That looks like some expensive furniture and I do wonder if it should have been given that much.
" Recommended reading: Responding to concerns, the town council has now clarified that the grant spending is not reflective of the town's overall spending, where youth services are prioritised. Explaining the situation, a spokesperson for Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council said: "The summary of grants secured mentioned that the £5000 is to enhance our Youth Services, which are commissioned with the RISE Trust, who run our weekly youth club and outreach work here in Bassett. "The council have already committed £16,500 for the new financial year 2025/2026, and we are so pleased to be able to continue this important service.
"This additional grant secured with the RISE Trust, allows us to extend our service offering to the youth in the town. "In the past, the town council secured very little in the way of grants, but over the past couple of years have been much more proactive in searching out and securing grants, and will continue to do so.".
