Today is the deadline for representations from groups refused grant aid next year, including Community Transport, Relate and the Disabled People's Council.

Councillors have set aside £200,000 from their £6 million grants budget for successful appeals, which will be decided on December 16.

Several Keighley groups believe they lost out unfairly because the original application forms were too complicated and ambiguous.

They claimed they were not given enough advice by specialist officers in the council department responsible for assessing the bids.

Cllr Ralph Berry, leader of the committee responsible for giving grants, this week defended the advice given to voluntary groups.

He says information sessions were held in conjunction with the voluntary sector, and officers were able to give advice on the council's rules.

But he adds: ""We weren't in a position to fill in the forms for the groups - that job was for the groups. The legal position is that we can't show favour."

Cllr Berry says a full review of the council's policies towards services provided by voluntary groups will be carried out after the December meeting.

The Workers Educational Association this week lent its support to Keighley Disabled People's Council, which faces the loss of its annual grant to pay advice worker Keith Bell.

Secretary Mr D Mitchell says the Keighley branch will be hit because it is currently allowed free use of the Council's Temple Row Centre.

The WEA runs adult education classes ranging from Shakespeare to Yoga for local adults as well as for disabled people. "The scope of our activities in Keighley and district would be seriously curtailed," warns Mr Mitchell.

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