PEOPLE with mobility problems will not be the only ones to benefit from the town council cash boost to Yeovil Shopmobility, according to deputy mayor Clive Davis.
Mr Davis, one of the founders of the charity, said the �5,000 grant would ensure businesses continue to benefit from making the town accessible to all.
He described the money as vital to ensure the future of the charity, which loans wheelchairs and scooters from its base in the lift lobby of the Quedam Shopping Centre car park.
He said: "Shopmobility facilitates over 600 members to come into the town and they spend around �75 per visit, but the charity relies entirely on fundraising and grants.
"The service is essential to help people get around the town and it is good for businesses. Without it shoppers would go elsewhere where they do have the mobility service. It is important to deliver this service to the community because not everyone has their own mobility equipment as it's very expensive.
"Without the �5,000 from the town council we would be struggling as new equipment and maintenance is not cheap.
"The charity is doing a lot of good, not just for the disabled but also for people with temporary mobility issues.
"We also do long-term hires lending the equipment for as long as someone needs it."
The �15,000 grant for Monmouth Hall in Monmouth Road would help safeguard the future for the clubs and groups that use it, according to Karen Kelly from the Birchfield Residents' Association.
She said the hall was a valued local facility.
"We've already got the Birchfield Hall round the corner, but Monmouth Hall is also important to make sure that there is always somewhere people can use.
"Birchfield Hall is very well used, so if that is booked out there is Monmouth Hall too.
"It is a community hub for the residents, and without the venue I'm sure some local groups would be forced to close."
The councillor leading the Yeovil in Bloom initiative said their �36,440 grant would be well spent, making Yeovil more attractive and bringing visitors to the town.
Last year Yeovil won a Gold award in the South West in Bloom competition for the fourth time.
Town councillor David Recardo, the chairman of the Yeovil in Bloom steering group, said: "The money goes towards everything that makes the town nice – planting, hanging baskets, roundabouts and cutting the verges so that the place looks nice.
"The money pays for the staff who do all the planting and Lesley Jelleyman from the district council who sends out all the press releases about Yeovil in Bloom.
"It brings a lot of people into Yeovil by making it a very inviting place to come.
"Far more people make comments congratulating us on the service than complain about the money being spent and we believe it is good value for money.
"When you take into account that you have all the staffing and maintenance costs, the money doesn't go as far as we would like it to. Flowers don't grow all by themselves."
The Yeovil Vision partnership, which exists to promote the regeneration of Yeovil, will have to prove it is worth a possible �10,000 funding boost.
The board, made up of representatives from South Somerset District Council, Somerset County Council and Yeovil Town Council, has been instrumental in a number of key Yeovil projects, including the changes to the Reckleford road system and the redevelopment of the former Foundry House.
Town and district councillor Tom Parsley said Yeovil Vision would have to prove it is worth the money before the grant is handed over.
He said: "It is conditional on Yeovil Vision producing a business plan to show they have a future.
"The county council has withdrawn money so the decision was taken to reassess Yeovil Vision.
"Yeovil Vision had success in the past but the board hasn't yet convinced anyone that there is a future. They have to come back and give justification for the money.
"In the current climate of spending cuts, money is not being given unless they can provide justification for what it will be spent on."
Musicians in the acclaimed Yeovil Town Band said they would not be able to continue playing without town council funding.
The money helps to cover their costs, including travel expenses and insurance. Only the conductor in the 26-strong band gets a wage.
They are set to receive �3,000, in return for playing at various civic functions including the annual Remembrance Parade.
Band secretary and baritone player, Chris Buckland, said: "Without the money we wouldn't be able to survive as we have rent and insurance to pay.
"It's good that the council is still supporting the band as we obviously enjoy doing the jobs for the council.
"We do quite a few events and go all over the country. We've even played at Glastonbury Festival for a few years."
Treasurer and tuba player Andrew Buckland said: "I think the council is very proud of the band and we are putting the name of the town forward in different places.
"It doesn't seem like a lot of money but it helps us put on fundraising events and we always host a band contest in the Octagon Theatre.
"The money helps with the running costs of the band and equipment and hire of premises."
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