VOLUNTEERS and community groups are to be given an extra £200,000 in the hope they can minimise the impact £2.5 million cuts to subsidised bus services will have on passengers.

At a meeting of Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet Ruby Walker, co-chairman of SpeakEasy N.O.W, a self-help organisation for people with learning disabilities across the county, told councillors proposed cuts to bus services would make it difficult for people to get around independently.

The council is looking to cut up to £70 million from its budget by 2015 – we previously reported how more than 130 subsidised urban, rural, school, Sunday and park-and-ride bus services could be axed because they are unviable.

Councillor Adrian Hardman admitted the council had probably underestimated the value of the voluntary and community sector, describing it as “a lifeline”.

He suggested providing an additional £100,000 rising to £200,000 on top of £260,000 set aside for community-based transport schemes in next year’s budget.

Worcestershire County Council has given out £505,000 to community transport schemes over the past two years.

Meanwhile, up to £700,000 might also be made available for children’s early intervention activities in next year’s budget and £2 million could be set aside ready to invest in the economy, especially broadband and green technology.

The council is going to have to dip into its reserves, though, and pull out about £3.5 million to help plug a £9.6 million shortfall in its budget on top of about £26 million cuts already identified. The budget will be officially set at full council on Thursday.