COMMUNITY groups in Chard, Ilminster and Crewkerne could net £90,000 if an X-factor-style voting event is backed at a meeting today (Wednesday).

South Somerset District Council's Area West Committee will be asked to approve funding for community forums in each town late this year and early next.

A similar event held in Chard in February saw £30,000 dished out to nine local groups after a public vote, including Avishayes Swimming Pool and Chard Disability Action Group.

If the committee backs the plans, £75,000 for the forums would be allocated from reserves and £15,000 from a pot for unallocated capital projects.

The amount each town receives could vary drastically as three different schemes are proposed.

One would see each town receive £30,000, while another, based on population, would see Chard net £41,807 but Ilminster just £18,311.

The forum dates are: Ilminster, November 16, 2007; Crewkerne, January 23, 2008; and Chard, February 27, 2008.

The district council plans to promote each forum three months in advance and the closing dates for bids are: Ilminster, September 28; Crewkerne, November 30; and Chard, January 17.

A report going before the committee tonight also promises that forums will not take place on the same night as other meetings.

At February's Chard forum, district councillor Dave Bulmer was unable to ask for £800 to set up a Friends of Jocelyn Park group because he was busy in an overrunning Area West planning meeting.

Tonight's meeting begins at 5.30pm in Crowshute House, Chard, and is open to the public.

Do you like the idea of forums for all three towns? Should Ilminster get as much money as Chard?

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