THE mayor of Marlborough has called on Marlborough councillors to put pressure on Wiltshire Council to protect funding for friendship clubs after grants were temporarily withdrawn last month.

New Road Club for disabled people and the Jubilee Centre for older people in the town both had doubt cast over their future funding when letters were sent by Wiltshire Council announcing funding cuts to grants used to run the clubs.

Speaking at last night’s Marlborough full Town Council meeting, Mayor Lisa Farrell said: “This is a vital service for vulnerable people and I am just a bit sad it was allowed to go that far. It is upsetting that a service for vulnerable people had to go through this.

“Councillor Fogg and Councillor Dobson need to keep an eye on this as it would be unfair for them to go through weeks of uncertainty again.”

Jerry Wickham, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for adult social care, public health and public protection, said: “ The most appropriate way moving forward is to halt any reduction in the funding for 2019/20 and for officers to work with the clubs to develop a model way of operating, within the spirit of co-production during the ensuing months.

“I very much regret the upset this has caused to the users and staff at the clubs and I extend my apologies. I hope the clubs will continue to work with us over the next year to ensure a successful service provision can be developed for the future.”