Council chiefs say funding to the Stour Centre has increased for next year but despite the extra money, jobs and opening hours will still be cut.

Earlier this week, Ashford Leisure Trust, which runs the Stour Centre, issued a statement saying Ashford Borough Council had agreed £50,000 less funding than the trust requested for the running of the Stour Centre in the 2009/2010 financial year.

Today the council issued a statement wanting to make clear that it has increased funding for next year.

Cllr Gerry Clarkson, who is responsible for the leisure in the borough, said: “We recognise the Stour Centre is an important leisure facility enjoyed by our residents and many other people throughout the South East which is why, even in difficult financial times, we have increased the budget for the next financial year.

“While the funding falls short of the requested amount by Ashford Leisure Trust, this still represents the highest increase in the council budget and reinforces our aim at providing our residents with the best possible leisure and recreational services.

“Ashford Leisure Trust continues to do an excellent job in managing the Stour Centre and the council has every faith the management team will be able to steer the centre through these tough times.”

In another development, the Julie Rose Stadium Trust (JRST), which is responsible for the stadium and employs Ashford Leisure Trust the for day-to-day management of it, has issued a statement appealing to the council for more money.

Chairman of the JRST Cllr Peter Davison (Ind) said: “The current credit crunch has put pressure on the Ashford Borough Council to cut the subsidy paid towards operational costs.

“The stadium trustees are asking that the council limits any cut so that the stadium can continue to offer Ashford’s young people and other customers a range of athletic, sporting and leisure activities in line with Active Ashford’s social inclusion strategy for sport and physical activity.

“The stadium trustees are also trying to ensure a future for the well trained and dedicated staff.”

For the full story of the proposed cuts, see our exclusive report in the Kentish Express, on sale now