A CHARITY is asking for an additional �30,000 from Welwyn Hatfield Council in order to continue running a popular day centre for elderly people in WGC.

Age Concern Hertfordshire, which manages Douglas Tilbe House in Hall Grove on behalf of the council, is asking for the sum as the facilities spiralling costs get out of control.

In a letter to Welwyn Hatfield Council’s community care manager, Age Concern Hertfordshire’s chief executive Marion Birch said staffing at Douglas Tilbe was “unacceptably low” and unless funding was increased, the charity would no longer be able to continue running the centre.

The letter reads: “... Age Concern Hertfordshire can no longer afford to make a financial contribution towards the centre. We have been running at a deficit on this project ever since we started managing it and it is now starting to have an impact on our overall financial position.”

The charity is asking for �30,000 and has suggested increasing the charities annual budget to �100,000 - the cost of running Douglas Tilbe House for a year.

Emergency funding is expected to be approved by the council’s cabinet tonight (Tuesday), with a review of community services to follow.