Rother to help community association?

Members will be asked for views at Monday's cabinet meeting on how best to support the beleaguered group.

Officers have suggested a one-off contribution to a maximum of 40,000 to avert the funding crisis.

The Observer has previously reported how the association closed the adult education project Learning Link, due to lost funding.

Other services may have to go now funding has dried up.

The total deficit for the organisation for the financial year is 80,000

SCA chief executive Margaret Lea has written to Rother to request emergency support.

She said: "The 40,000 would cover half the forecast deficit for 2008/09, in particular the Young People's Centre deficit and some unfunded items in family services. If RDC will support us we have guarantees for the other 40,000 which is will cover the negative costs associated with closing down services and paying off staff."

Due to the difficult funding landscape, SCA have been preparing to alter their business plan with the help of London-based organisation 'Pilotlight'.

Short-term funding of 40,000 would give the association 'breathing space' to redraw plans and time to stabilise core services, say officers. It may also lead to a consideration of the services Rother wish SCA to provide.

The association has also asked the council to enter into a service level agreement from April 2009 to provide ongoing funding - but it is too early to discuss figures with the authority.

The council will not however, revenue fund activities that are the province of other services, such as children's services or youth development.

If minded to support the proposal, councillors can also consider breaking any contribution into staged payments depending on SCA's month-to-month finances and ensure the draft business plan is shared with Rother.

Officers have also called for regular, open communication between the groups.

Chief executive of Rother, Derek Stevens, said in his report: "There is a moderate risk that any funding package may not secure the long term future of SCA. Set against this there are very substantial risks to the community of Sidley if SCA were to fold and it may be justifiably considered that the council as community leader has some measure of duty to avert this occurrence to the best of its ability."