Grant-scheme cuts set to hit arts and community groups

Next year five West Yorkshire councils will cease funding the West Yorkshire Joint Services grants scheme, which will mean 41 organisations losing £843,000 in total.

Cuts will affect arts and theatre groups such as Mind the Gap and Opera North, but also children’s charities and advice groups.

Voluntary sector supporters said the cuts could prove damaging.

Chris Hollins, chairman of West Yorkshire Local Development Agencies, described the decision to end the grants as “incomprehensible”, adding: “The local authorities give no guarantees that they will continue to support these organisations.”

A Leeds Council spokesman said all groups in the city now had the chance to bid for new-style council grants.