COUNCILLORS have taken the unusual step of telling a Wellington church to apply again for more funding.

Groups and organisations can apply to Wellington Town Council for financial assistance through the authority’s grant scheme to help with various schemes and projects.

It is unusual for the council to openly tell an applicant to submit another bid for more money, but that is what happened at the authority’s finance committee on March 21.

Councillors said they were unsure as to whether Wellington Methodist Church had actually applied for enough money to help support its Clothes Swap project.

They were told that the scheme provides free clothes to families with children aged up to five and it started in October 2022 through the church’s toddler group.

A Clothes Swap spokesman, in a report, said: “Families bring good quality clothes they have finished with and collect items that they need. There is no charge and no requirement to bring a particular number of items. Those expecting a new baby are encouraged to come with no need to swap.”

The Clothes Swap organisers particularly want to make the scheme aware to those on low income and have been promoting it through health visitors, doctors, village agents and the foodbank as well as on social media.

Councillors were very much in support of the project, but questioned whether the £300 applied for by Wellington Methodist Church was actually enough.

Cllr John Thorne said: “We are talking about a small amount of money; in fact I’m wondering whether they are actually asking for enough to be able to do what they are doing.

“Not that I want to throw the council’s money about, but perhaps we could sound them out to see if they want £500 or £600. They could come back to us and ask for more.”

Cllr Andrew Govier added: “I’m very happy to support this. This is a good idea and if it’s successful I think they should come back to us in the next financial year for more funding.”

It was pointed out during the meeting that the new financial year began on April 1 - so the church could re-apply very soon.

Cllr Mike McGuffie said: “I think this is well worthy of our support.”