A COMPOSTING group from Thornbury have learned that they will receive less than half of the funds they had applied for as worries for their survival resurface.

The Thornbury Community Composting Group had recently been given a confidence boost after visits from Thornbury and Yate MP Luke Hall, who offered his support, as well as South Gloucestershire Council leader Matthew Riddle.

But last week, the group have now been told they will receive only £3,000 of the £6,500 they applied for from South Gloucestershire Council.

The case for funding was to be put through the Council's communities meeting, but after "considerable opposition", it was instead presented through the general budget.

A spokesman for South Gloucestershire Council confirmed that awards in the general budget are capped at £3,000, the amount the group received.

They have also been told that an additional contribution of £1,000 has been promised by Thornbury Town Council.

But given the insufficient funds from South Gloucestershire Council, the group, who provide residents with access to compost in return for an honesty donation, are now exploring other avenues of funding.

"We are grateful to the efforts of Luke Hall and Matthew Riddle to keep us funded through South Gloucestershire Council for the benefit of the local residents, but disappointed that the over 50 per cent cut means that more money is still needed to ensure that we can remain open for the whole of next year,” said John Wilson- Smith, the group’s volunteer chairman.

“We are proposing test the waters by raising the donation for each bag, but as we rely on the honesty of our customers to put the money in the collection box this may be tricky.

“But if they realise that without their donations the whole site might have to close I think we should be alright.

“A supporter of the group, Karen Blick, who is a South Gloucestershire Councillor, has offered her support by applying for funding on our behalf to other sources.”

He added: “We are a volunteer run organisation and are always welcoming of new members or support and would always appreciate if there is anyone out there who might be able to help, financially or practically.”