PARISH and town councils in Broxtowe could have to increase council tax or slash their budgets, after a campaign against plans to axe council grants to them failed.

Broxtowe Borough Council has voted to continue with plans to stop giving grants to the parish and town councils in the area, despite opposition from some councillors.

The grants, which account for up to a fifth of parish and town councils' budgets in the borough, will be axed next year, with Broxtowe saying the scheme is no longer sustainable.

But Nuthall borough councillor Jill Owen said she was "very disappointed" at the decision.

Mrs Owen, who is also leader of Nuthall Parish Council, tabled a motion at a meeting of Broxtowe's full council calling for the long-standing parish grants scheme to be retained for at least the next two years.

She said: "The idea that those who live in areas currently receiving the allocations of money should not only no longer receive them, but also have to maintain the facilities out of parish precepts with no support from the borough council, while at the same time contribute significantly to the upkeep of facilities in the non-parished areas, is an immoral abuse of power."

She said Nuthall Parish Council will discuss the implications of the decision at a meeting next month.

Kimberley borough councillor Mel Crow described the loss of the grant aid as "ludicrous".

Ms Crow, who is also a member of Kimberley Town Council, said: "The grant made up 15% of our £96,000 budget this year – it's a very small but crucial amount of money.

"Our income will now be smaller, but we'll still have two parks and numerous Broxtowe flower beds to maintain. We'll still have to run events and generally look after our town."

Broxtowe Borough Council voted 18 to 15 against Mrs Owen's motion, with three councillors abstaining.

Stapleford borough councillor Brian Wombwell tabled an amendment against the motion. It called for the council to continue to support the decision to cease paying grant aid, and for parish and town councils to identify savings which will "lessen the burden of taxation on their residents".

Coun Wombwell said: "In order to balance this year's budget, Broxtowe Borough Council has had to find reductions in expenditure. This bulk subsidy cannot be justified.

"In my opinion, town and parish councils should raise their own precepts from their own residents and be responsible to them for how they spend the money."

The borough council's plan to scrap the funding was voted through by the cabinet in June. It has since consulted the smaller councils on the idea, but has been met with opposition.

The borough council's grant aid generally goes towards paying for the running costs of the parish and town councils.

bryan.henesey@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk