THERE was a hot reception for councillors arriving for this evening’s meeting of the borough’s all powerful executive committee.
The meeting had been due to consider proposals to cut to zero within two years the rent concession for those charities based in council-owned properties – effectively pushing many to the brink of closure.
Nine charities using 13 buildings would have been affected and despite council claims that letters had been sent out to those affected, none had been received.
However after a public outcry the proposals were hastily dropped from the agenda last Thursday.
Council leader Matt Dormer (Con, West) who acknowledged the authority should have consulted with the charities first, re-scheduling the plans possibly to December to give time for talks to be held.
Despite this those supporting the town’s vital voluntary and community sector decided to go ahead with a planned protest at tonight’s meeting.
Visit www.redditchstandard.co.uk tomorrow for more updates.
Podcast: We talks to Councillor Dormer – https://redditchstandard.co.uk/podcasts/
