Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council has slashed its grants budget by £75,000 to £285,570 for 2011/12.

According to the borough’s local newspaper Welwyn Hatfield Times, the cut is more than double an expected cut of £30,000 to the voluntary sector.

While no one charity will totally lose grant funding as part of the budget cut, all will see a reduction in the amount they receive next year.

Further, the council has reduced its small grants fund from £47,980 to just £14,980 and the council’s own Queens Golden Jubilee Awards will be limited to £5,000 per year, a reduction from £10,000 the previous year.

Councillor Irene Dean, chair of the grants panel at Welwyn said: “The council must plan ahead for a possible reduction in future financing.

“Savings must, therefore, be made across the council’s services from other outgoings, which must unfortunately include grant support for organisations and individuals.”