A LONG-standing charity which helps Big Society-style community groups is facing closure, it has emerged.

Leaders of Durham City District Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) have called a special general meeting to discuss a proposal to close the body due to a “lack of sustainable funding”.

The CVS has seen its funding from Durham County Council, which itself faces cuts of nearly £220m between 2010 and 2018, repeatedly slashed in recent years.

In December, bosses were informed they would receive no funding for the year 2013-14. Recently, they have been surviving on reserves.

Following crisis talks, the management committee has called the special general meeting for committee room 1A, at County Hall, Durham, on Wednesday, May 22, at 6pm.

If members, who have been invited to the meeting, back closure, the branch could be wound up within two weeks. Three people would lose their jobs as a result.

No-one at the CVS was available for comment today (Monday, May 13).

However, Alderman Mary Hawgood, a CVS supporter and former employee, said: “This very important organisation was founded in the 1940s and continues to do excellent work.

“There is no other voluntary organisation which helps others to start up – giving financial and legal advice.

“I think that the county council are very misguided to withdraw funding.”

Mrs Hawgood appealed to local councillors to step in and save the CVS by making contributions from their council-allocated neighbourhood budgets.

The CVS, which is based at Redhill Villas, Durham, works to promote and support volunteering, linking would-be volunteers to organisations in need.

It also helps new groups get off the ground, including by assisting in drawing up policies and a constitution, organising fundraising, providing training and recruiting and supporting volunteers. The CVS has advised its members that, in the event of its closure, ongoing support would be available from the Durham Rural Community Council (DRCC), which is based at Park House, Station Road, Lanchester. To contact DRCC, call 01207-529-621 or email: info@durhamrcc.org.uk