CAMPAIGNERS hoping to gain the funding they need to build a new health centre in Tatworth have said their plans look "bleak" unless they get more support.

The Tatworth and Forton Residents' Action Group is looking for cash to help pay for a feasibility study into the possibility of a health centre being created.

The group made a presentation at South Somerset District Council's recent public-voting Opportunity Chard event, where they applied for a £3,500 grant.

But Iris Leake, of RAG, said she was left disappointed and that the name Opportunity Chard "gave it away" as out of 31 submissions for cash only eight were from villages with the rest for Chard itself.

"Only two applications from a surrounding village were successful, plus the Chard and Tatworth First Responders," she said.

"The reason we didn't get our funding was because we had a lack of support. Only 41 people voted for us.

"The evening was very badly organised and unfair to applications from outside Chard.

"This was no way to award public money."

But Mrs Leake added: "My thanks go to those residents who went to vote, particularly those who were not allowed in and had no way of voting for us.

"The health centre group will be looking at possible ways forward, but the future looks bleak at the moment.

"We will not achieve a health centre without the wholehearted support of the parish, but 41 votes will just not do."

Ten groups received a share of £31,535 after bidding for public votes at the Opportunity Chard event at the Guildhall back in March.

Though the council has received mainly positive feedback about the event it has had some complaints about the venue not being large enough and the voting procedures.

Council officers have been pleased with the way the Opportunity events in Chard, Ilminster and Crewkerne have gone, but have said they will look at ways of improving them in the future.

8:31am Friday 9th May 2008

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