HOPES to ring-fence grants to voluntary groups have been thrown out by councillors.

As Swindon Council considers cutting £252,000 from the grants Liberal Democrat councillors asked for the £1.1m currently given to voluntary groups to be ring-fenced for three years.

The Lib Dems also wanted an external body to be set up to control the grants so that they would be free from political interference.

Coun Chris Shepherd (Lib Dem, Freshbrook and Grange Park) pictured left, urged councillors to support the motion.

"It is unfair on all these groups which are desperately trying to provide quality services to local people," he said.

Labour councillors proposed an amendment to the motion, asking the cabinet to use council reserves to reinstate the planned £252,000 cut.

But the Conservatives argued the cuts would not affect the services people receive as some groups played the same roles.

More consideration was needed on which groups were given money and groups should not be automatically allocated funding, they said.

Coun Roderick Bluh (Con, Dorcan) said: "Just because it is called the voluntary sector doesn't mean all causes are necessarily good causes."

Both the motions were voted out. A final decision on whether the cut to grants will go ahead will be made by the full council when it sets the budget and council tax level on February 21.