VOLUNTARY groups face having grant aid slashed by 20 per cent in real terms amid council belt-tightening.

Possible victims of the cuts range from small childcare groups to the Citizens Advice Bureau.

The current Swindon council Budget for grant aid to voluntary groups is £1.1 million but that is set to be cut by £186,000 next year as the authority deals with its ongoing budget crisis.

Voluntary Action Swindon, an umbrella group for charity organisations, discussed the matter with councillors and officials at a crisis meeting in the Civic Offices.

Voluntary Action chief executive Phil Baker said today: "Swindon rightly prides itself on having a vibrant voluntary sector, yet here we are with a council which, instead of supporting that sector as much as it can, seems to be hell-bent on withdrawing support.

"It is possible to imagine that some of the smaller groups will close.

"We have asked some of those smaller groups to give us details of what a budget cut of 20 per cent which this is in real terms would mean to them.

"One of the key points is that we will be in a position to give the council a detailed briefing about this.

"Groups affected range from the Citizens Advice Bureau and Swindon Racial Equality Council to very small community groups such as after school and childcare organisations."

The meeting was attended by Mr Baker and colleagues from Voluntary Action Swindon, as well as representatives of several voluntary groups.

There to discuss the problems with them was Coun Garry Perkins (Con, Dorcan) the lead member whose remit includes voluntary sector affairs.

Mr Baker said the figures for possible cuts were mentioned during the meeting.

Coun Perkins could not be contacted for comment.