GREEN councillors in York claim cuts in ward funding by City of York Council will undermine any real involvement by local residents in their communities.

Andy D’Agorne said ward budgets were to be slashed by a third in the coming year as the authority sought to reduce spending. The move would leave only £75,000 shared between 18 ward committees to be allocated by councillors to local community groups.

Fellow Green councillor Dave Taylor said a ward the size of Fishergate, which he represents, might have only £3,200 available.

He said: “That is not even enough to fund a single fortnight summer play scheme and a community fair event.

“It’s tragic for local people, tragic for the council staff who will lose their jobs, and tragic that a scheme that gained national acclaim and involved the public in decision-making should be jettisoned in this way.”