Ashby councillors have recommended that a planned £1,500 'penny pinching' cut to the town's museum does not go ahead.

Thursday's meeting of North West Leicestershire District Council's Corporate Scrutiny committee met to discuss the proposed budget for 2024/25.

But Labour councillors David Bigby and Murrae Blair-Park both spoke against the plan to remove the grant for Ashby Museum.

Cllr Bigby said: "This is a ridiculously penny-pinching cut, it won't make a blind bit of difference to the council, but will make an enormous difference to Ashby Museum.

"I'd certainly like to see that removed from the budget, and I shallot forward a motion to that effect."

It was initially proposed that the recommendation to the council's Cabinet next week was that a rationale be provided for the cut to the museum funding, and provide a 'less abrupt financial model'.

But Cllr Bigby added: "I would like to recommend to Cabinet, that they don't go ahead with the cut, rather than ask for a rationale."

Cllr Alison Morley said: "We've been talking about taking money off community organisations, while at the same time we're spending £2million on Stenson Square, and £3.7million on council owned land.

"I'm concerned we're not getting the impact on the communities."

Cllr Blair-Park also highlighted the effect such a decision would have on the town.

He said: "Somebody, somewhere has decided that £1,500 for Ashby Museum is a big issue.

"So much so that we'll log it.

"But the impact, and the fact that it's manned by volunteers and people use it, isn't considered. And you won't get that unless you live in the community."

Cllr Chris Smith, leader of Ashby de la Zouch Town Council, posted recently on social media to voice his opposition to the planned cut to the museum funding.