A row has broken out over a request for compulsory funding for a domestic violence charity and women’s refuge in Stafford.

Stafford Women’s Aid has been in the town for 30 years and Councillor Trish Rowlands has asked for core funding for the service to be provided by Stafford Borough Council.

She said that tackling domestic violence is one of the main corporate priorities of the council and that it must put its money where its mouth is and enter a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the group.

She said: “If we mean what we say, we must ensure Stafford Women’s Aid gets and can guarantee the financial support they need, which we have provided in the past.”

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A row has broken out over a request for compulsory funding for a domestic violence charity and women’s refuge in Stafford.

Stafford Women’s Aid has been in the town for 30 years and Councillor Trish Rowlands has asked for core funding for the service to be provided by Stafford Borough Council.

She said that tackling domestic violence is one of the main corporate priorities of the council and that it must put its money where its mouth is and enter a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the group.

She said: “If we mean what we say, we must ensure Stafford Women’s Aid gets and can guarantee the financial support they need, which we have provided in the past.”

Mike Heenan, cabinet member for resources said that the council has given considerable support to the charity in addition to its annual grant, with extra cash coming from the “safer and stronger localities” and domestic violence funds.

He said that he was concerned about offering the cash to a single charitable organisation – saying this would leave less money in the pot for other good causes.

The borough council is currently committed to offering annual funding to just four bodies – Stafford and Stone Citizens’ Advice Bureau, Stafford District Voluntary Service, Sport Stafford Borough and Stafford District Arts Council – with an additional £96,400 spread between other organisations and charities.

Mr Heenan said that if more money was taken out to give to a single charity then there would be less flexibility in the grant funding for others.

He offered an amendment asking that the council considers setting up LSAs with other local organisations – including Stafford Women’s Aid.

The the subject will now be discussed at the next council cabinet meeting.