The chief executive of Dundee City Council has apologised to voluntary workers for cuts totalling almost £1 million.
David Dorward expressed regret over the cuts at a meeting called by umbrella organisation, Dundee Voluntary Action, which said the slashed funding would “affect the most vulnerable and disadvantaged”.
Mr Dorward said: “I can only apologise for having to make the cut. But we have no way out of that this year.
“One thing you have to remember is that the elected members and the council are human beings as well.
“We really acknowledge and respect the contribution that the voluntary sector makes and we have put a lot of resources and time into mitigating the worst effects,” he added.
In the SNP administration’s revenue budget for 2014-16, they announced 3% cuts to third-party organisations who receive more than £100,000 a year in funding. This amounts to a total saving of £935,000.
Some of the most savagely hit organisations include Gowrie Care, which stands to lose £60,000, and Cornerstone Community Care, which will suffer a £50,000 cut.
At the meeting, Dundee Voluntary Action chief executive Morna Wilson presented data from 12 third sector organisations showing that the cuts would cause redundancies, reduction of services and increased waiting lists.
She also added that one service will close completely due to a 100% loss of funding.
She said: “The proposed cuts will have direct impact on frontline services that vulnerable people and communities rely on the most.
“The third sector in Dundee is responsive, flexible and delivers good outcomes and value for money.”
However, she also welcomed “the recent dialogue, workshops and further commitment from Dundee City Council to work with the sector”.
These commitments include a strategic funding partnership for ongoing dialogue and development of a third sector funding strategy, a review of commissioning and contracting and in-kind support.
Mr Dorward said: “(We know) the voluntary sector can do many things better than us but we have got to invest in that.
“What we are aiming for together is a long-term situation that means (the voluntary sector) has surety of funding.
“The year we said to the Dundee Partnership that you’ve got three year funding yes, you’ve taken a big cut, but you’ve got certainty of funding they were suddenly able to plan for the future and know what to do.”
Welfare reforms and the recession had added to the pressures faced by third sector organisations, Mr Dorwood said.
“On top of the recession that we’ve had and the cuts that we have had from Westminster on, that have been passed down we have then had to face the situation of trying to ameliorate the welfare reform changes that have come in as well.
“We’ve had a number of organisations up, including the Scottish Government, and they said they didn’t know if we could do any more with the resources we have got in terms of trying to mitigate the impact on individuals.”