A COUNCIL is halving its budget for a scheme to help community groups from £1,000 to £500.
Derwentside District Council cabinet committee has already approved the cut in grant to the East and West Durham Rural Development Programme, although the council has said it will restore the full £1,000 next year.
The authority was asked to reduce its contribution this year because the programme has not been able to give away all of this year's budget of nearly £37,000.
Five groups in Derwentside have benefited from the programme in the Leadgate, Burnhope, Esh and South Moor area in the past few months.
The cabinet decision will be examined by scrutiny committees in the coming weeks.
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