A HEFTY financial request by the Wren Trust in connection with a big community event in Simmons Park this summer was turned down by Okehampton Town Council?s policy committee this week.
The Trust wishes to hold a family fun day in the park in July and asked the council to back the event to the tune of £7,600, to include £3,000 grant funding and a £4,600 guarantee against loss.
Cllr Stan Stormont said the council?s involvement in last year?s event to celebrate the refurbishment of the park, when it guaranteed to underwrite any financial loss, was a one-off.
He said: ?I don?t feel we could do the same this year. It?s a great deal of money they are looking at ? it?s most of the grants budget gone in a single piece of paper.?
Cllr Christine Marsh, mayor of Okehampton, said: ?I think we should be seen to be supporting it. They should be encouraged to put in an application for a grant.?
The committee asked the clerk to write to the Wren Trust informing them that it was not possible to financially underwrite the event but that the council would consider supporting it with a grant contribution.