GROUPS in Tetbury are investigating whether the town could take control of its own volunteer services.

Anger has built in the town since the Cotswold Volunteer Centre, based in Cirencester, announced that because of a shortfall in funding, it would no longer be able to provide a centre manager in Tetbury and popular manager Sallie Dearnley was made redundant.

It also warned the town council that retaining the dial-a-ride scheme would cost around £5,000. But the social car service, which helps elderly people get out and about, would be lost.

Councillors have already said they would consider upping the council tax precept to keep the dial-a-ride.

But mayor Stephen Hirst has been meeting with other local organisations and when the new council sits for the first time after the elections it will be asked to consider going it alone.

He told colleagues: "We have had assurances from the Cotswold Volunteer Centre that the Tetbury dial-a-ride will run."

However he added: "In some ways it is a gun to our head. To maintain the service we will have to cough up."

Different interested parties were currently discussing the possibility of declaring and running services from Tetbury.

"I was overwhelmed by offers to help finance the dial-a-ride," he said. "I have no doubt we could raise enough money for a new dial-a-ride bus outside the council, should it come to that."

Cllr Peter Martin questioned the wisdom behind the changes in the finance. "What a disgrace that suddenly this town has to come up with £5,000 to maintain a basic service for the elderly. I think those who are responsible should be questioned thoroughly on what their motives are."

The crisis blew up when Gloucestershire County Council moved from grants to a specific contracts-based funding system.

Councillors have voiced their fears that the most vulnerable in Tetbury will suffer and have condemned the changes as increasing rural deprivation.