A COUNTY councillor has slammed those he believes are whingeing about the future of the Wych Centre.

Clr Dave Sutton said the Wych Centre in Civic Way does receive grants and says the grant of £3,645 is still the largest of any organisation in the Congleton borough.

He reacted angrily to reports suggesting that the future of the centre was in doubt.

Clr Sutton said: "To listen to some of the comments you would think nobody is giving them any money.

"It's a little bit sensational.

"We do care about the Wych Centre. There has been a slight decrease in funding this year. There is only so much money to go around."

Merle Ikin, who is manager of the centre, explained the actual amount of funding which the centre gets.

She said: "We get an annual grant aid which this year is £3,645.

"With staffing on top it comes to more than £14,000. The town council has funded the under 13s since 1989.

"The Wych Centre is a youth centre, built with the help from the county council, with a capital grant.

"Young people and parents raised money along with local organisations.

"The county council, borough council and town council give us money only because it's a youth centre.

Merle added: "Without that support which is still on going because we are a youth organisation, we would not be where we are today - it would have folded in the 1970s."

vkandel@guardiangrp.co.uk