A COUNCILLOR has called for an urgent meeting over a Blackwood charity that is facing closure.

Cancercareline, based in Blackwood, is facing closure at the end of the year as a result of funding cuts, but ward councillor Nigel Dix believes it can still be saved.

The charity has provided 24-hour support services for patients and their families for over 30 years, but this could be forced to end in December.

Cllr Dix, of Blackwood, said: “I am shocked that Cancer Careline is facing closure. The problem is that the funding has to be renewed every 12 months, so it constantly comes up for discussion at renewal.

“We had a similar issue a couple of years ago but the charity, the health board and the council all sat down and it was resolved.

"I have arranged for a meeting between the charity and the council later this month and am still hoping this can be resolved. It needs to be as they do such good work for the community and it’s worth every penny.”

Cancercareline annual running costs of £72,000 have been currently split by Caerphilly County Borough council and the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, but its funding has been reduced by tens of thousands of pounds.

A health board spokeswoman said it had had no plans to change its funding commitment to Cancercareline and added: “We are very sorry that Cancercareline have decided to take the action of closure.

“The health board has worked very closely with the charity over the past three years to work to find a solution to their funding issues.

"We have always had an ongoing funding commitment with the charity as we value the service they provide to many of our patients.

“We had no plans to change this financial commitment and had hoped with our support the charity would find the additional funding it required, however it seems this has not been possible.”

The charity stated it had been in negotiations with both the council and health board and has been offered only £20,000 for this year and merely £16,000 for 2017-18.

A charity spokeswoman said: “Faced with this situation the trustees have no alternative but to take the decision to wind up the charity.

“This is a very sad time for everyone. A decision to enter into an inadequately funded contract would have been improper."

Cllr Dix added: “If the service is allowed to close the people of Caerphilly and Blackwood will be the poorer. An income of £72K a year from the council and the health board is a small price to pay for the commitment, time and expertise that Cancer Care Line provides for the residents of Caerphilly county.

“We all know that we live in a time of austerity, however, I believe that the council and health board can find the money from their budgets. The cost of not supporting the charity will be far more than the £72K need to maintain this vital service.”

Cancercareline will currently close on 31 December, with plans for any leftover funds to be donated to a like-minded charity.