Ex-Market Drayton mayor 'appalled' by response to charity's plea
A former Market Drayton mayor says he is "appalled" by the "brief and insulting" responses from the town council to a charity asking for funding.
Members of Market Drayton Mencap had applied to Market Drayton Town Council for money to help finish off its new £150,000 base.
But Susan Walton, the group's secretary, said she had been frustrated in her attempts to get the matter discussed at a full meeting of the council.
She said: "We were told – and I quote – 'There isn't any money in the budget so to place this item on the agenda would be pointless'."
Councillor Roy Aldcroft, former mayor of the town, said he had not seen the initial letter asking for funding.
He said: "I was appalled by the brevity and tone of the response from this council.
"Mencap has over many years provided services to this community and its volunteers put in many hours of work fundraising and supporting its users. This certainly demands a more respectful response.
"It never made an agenda item on any committee despite the request for it to be added so elected representatives could discuss the options.
"I am sure there will be other councillors who will be furious to discover what has been done in their name as councillors.
"The town council has no budget for large grants at this time, but this does not mean there are no other options which may have been discovered had the matter gone to councillors at a committee or full council meeting.
"It certainly did not warrant such a brief, almost insulting response from this council."
Councillor David Minnery, the current town mayor, said he would apologise for the brief responses sent to the charity.
He said: "Simply if there is no budget set aside then the request does not come to members; what would be the point? We can only spend what we have the power to spend.
"I think we all acknowledge the amazing work that our local charities do, and I totally respect the dedication of their supporters and helpers.
"I accept that the replies to Mrs Walton were perhaps briefer than they could have been and so lacked a fuller explanation of the situation, and I am happy to apologise to her for that, but even had members considered the requests then their hands would have been tied by what is in our budget."
