A Glasgow charity which delivers lifeline shopping supplies to elderly residents has had its funding axed after it was deemed “not a high enough priority” by the city council.
Food Train, which operates across the city providing food and support to at least 200 elderly people every week, had its funding cut in the latest round of the Glasgow Communities Fund and risks closure within the next ten days.
The organisation said it was disappointed that events did not go their way funding wise and confirmed the council had reached out to them to help them identify other funding sources. The group also pledged to 'continue the fight' to keep their branch open.
READ MORE: Funding axed for Glasgow charity that feeds elderly 'with no one else to help them'
A post on the Food Train facebook page after the meeting said: "Our members are heartened that they are being listened to, and that we have an incredibly strong following who care deeply about the livelihoods of older people."
During this morning’s city administration committee meeting, councillors agreed to commit more than £55 million to fund various groups over the next five years, with £6.5 million awarded to organisations with the Glasgow Advice and Information Network for financial and legal advice.
Other successful applications included Achieve More Scotland, AFRICAN CHALLENGE SCOTLAND, British Red Cross, Buddies Clubs and Services (Glasgow West) Limited, Cerebral Palsy Scotland, Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights and Common Wheel.
A total of 445 applications submitted to the council including Food Train. During the meeting questions were raised by Conservative councillor Thomas Kerr who wanted to know why the charity was unsuccessful.
Councillor Kerr said: “Food Train is an organisation that helps more than 400 people in the city. I wonder if officers could give me some information as to why this organisation wasn’t able to get the funding that we had looked at.
“This is a group of people in the city who are the most vulnerable or elderly who have already had to deal with the withdrawal of the affordable warmth payment and this looks like we are pulling the rug from under their feet once again.”
Councillor Kerr was informed by an officer that the recommendations outlined for approval in his papers illustrated what had emerged as the highest priority across the board.
The officer said: “This organisation is one of a number that didn’t emerge as the highest priority proposals that we would wish to support.”
Councillor Kerr then asked if feedback would be given to Food Train and other organisations that didn’t meet the requirements.
He said: “Food Train says that as a result they could close within ten weeks. Will we be preparing to have that dialogue to make sure that they will get the funding that is required.”
A council officer confirmed that they would provide feedback to all of the applicants, focussing particularly on the unsuccessful ones.
Following the meeting, members of the Green group said they were happy to see investments being made in local communities but also shared concerns about services which would no longer benefit from the communities fund.
Councillor Dan Hutchison said: "While we're really happy to see such significant investment in our communities and our essential services, we are concerned that some of the essential services our citizens rely on will no longer be able to operate.
“We are thankful that Green pressure has seen conditionality on organisations to pay the real living wage and for ring-fenced funding for CABs, Law Centres, Financial Advice Centres among other crucial financial inclusion organisations.
"We do have a serious concern about the loss of funding for essential services, to name one, the Food Train who deliver food to the elderly and in doing so supports people to stay in their own homes, maintaining their independence and helping many of whom may have to move to residential care without this funding. We are glad that the administration and officers will be looking urgently at funding for this organisation and we will be monitoring this very closely."
Councillor Blair Anderson added: "The Glasgow Communities Fund is a welcome investment of over £55.8m in our communities and our people, but this process needs to be improved to ensure fairer and more secure funding.
“I'm glad that we have secured commitments from the administration that every organisation who does not receive funding will be given targeted support by officers to identify other sources of funding, with a report coming back to councillors as soon as possible.
“We hope that the next round of funding will have more time built in to allow councillors and communities to have their say, and I'm grateful that the administration agreed to our requests on that."
In a post on facebook following the decision, Glasgow Food Train said: "We will now continue the fight for our Glasgow branch to remain open and we will keep you regularly updated on our progress.
"We would also like to say that we are thrilled and delighted for every single charity that had their funding approved through the Glasgow Communities Fund and we share our sadness with those who were unsuccessful.
"Charities work extremely hard to survive, and we often work in partnership with each other to provide the best possible services for our communities.
"Our only wish is for enough funding for every charity that needs it because we are all equally deserving - and everyone should be able to access the help and support they need when they need it."
READ NEXT:
Cambuslang surgeon diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer after first noticing foot pain
Feud linked to Glasgow's Daniel crime gang after man's home targeted
Woman left horrified after witnessing the destruction caused at Rutherglen park
Glasgow Chinese takeaway warned over mouse infestation which led to closure
Woman rushed to hospital after being hit by bus in Glasgow city centre
