The City of Edinburgh Council has delayed a decision on a planned £1.25m cut to funding for families

Councillors will wait on a decision on cuts to community funding in Edinburgh.

TFN reported last week that the City of Edinburgh Council has proposed a reduction of £1.25 million to its Communities and Families Main Grant Programme over the next three years.

A coalition of charities has warned that the cuts will have a drastic impact for many families in the Capital, and has urged that the proposed cuts are halted.

At a meeting on Thursday, councillors agreed that a decision on the £1.25 million worth of cuts would be held for now.

A statement from the council said: “Due to the feedback received through phase two consultation, the £1.25m relating to third party grants will be considered within the next three-year budget strategy starting 2020/21.”

The Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations’ Council (EVOC) had warned the cuts, which it says amounts to 35% of the programme, will have a huge impact on many families in Edinburgh.

EVOC chief executive Ella Simpson urged councillors to show their support for the work carried out by the third sector.

She said: “The decision to cut funding for the Communities and Families Grants Programme has been deferred. We hope that councillors will use this time to think about their long-term commitment to third sector services that improve the lives of thousands of children and young people, and their parents and carers. This effective early third sector support prevents the need for more expensive NHS or social work services later. We urge councillors to make this shift to early action and prevention, as recommended by the Christie Commission."