COUNCILLORS have given their support to Wellington Scout Group in its plan to replace its ageing minibus.

Members of Wellington Town Council’s policy and finance committee heard on July 14 that the group had applied for a grant of up to £2,999 to help fund its minibus appeal.

Councillors were in full agreement to back the group – the only sticking point was on how much to award the Scouts who are based at Castle Hall in Fore Street.

The mayor, Cllr Janet Lloyd, suggested the council award the group a £2,500, while Cllr John Thorne said he felt they could go further and “bridge the gap” between what the Scouts raise and what they need.

“It’s such a worthwhile cause and the group does such good work,” said Cllr Thorne. “I think this is something we really should get behind.”

Dave Belfield, of Wellington Scout Group, said: “Our existing minibus is 20-years-old and creaks – we had to spend £2,000 to get it through the MOT this year.

“It’s no longer economically viable and so we’re looking to raise funds to buy a new one.”

Mr Belfield said the MOT on its current minibus runs out in January 2026 and he told councillors that he hoped that the Scouts would have their new vehicle by then.

Councillors voted in favour of awarding the Scouts a £2,500 grant, although Cllrs Thorne, Chris Booth and Chris Penk voted against as they wanted to award the group a bigger slice of funding.

The 1st Wellington Scout Group was started in around 1900 by John Exton, who was asked by his employer, a major textile firm run by the Fox Brothers to see if he could solve the problem of there being little to occupy the youth in the town.