CHARITIES and non-profit-making organisations across West Somerset have been handed a short-term financial lifeline after plans to cut their business rate relief were pulled.

West Somerset Council, which is faced with finding £1.2 million of savings over the next two years, had been due to reduce its £56,000 discretionary non-domestic rate relief fund by half.

The move would have hit village halls, youth groups, relief and rescue groups, sports clubs, senior citizens' and other community organisations who currently receive a 20 per cent reduction in business rates.

Around 28 rural charities, 68 charities in 'rural settlements' and 39 non-profit-making organisations would have been affected and seen the level of relief drop 75 per cent to just five per cent.

But at a full meeting of the council on Wednesday, councillors were told the threatened £28,000 funding cut could be reinstated for the coming year - although the rate relief could still be withdrawn completely in 2012/13.

Lead member for finance Cllr Kate Kravis said that although the council continued to face a funding gap, the financial pressure had been eased by three "pockets" of new cash worth almost £100,000.

The largest share of the additional money has come from a Government grant, awarded because the council received the highest possible cut to its recent central grant settlement.

"Our focus has been to try and limit the impact on community groups, charities and anyone who delivers services for the community," said Cllr Kravis.

"If we delay this cut in this year's budget, it buys them some time to look at future options."

Cllr Kravis apologised for making such a late change but added: "It is never too late to do the right thing."

Earlier, councillors had listened to an impassioned plea by Robert Hutchings, the chairman of Holford and District Village Hall, which serves the parishes of Holford, Stringston and Doddington.

He spoke about the importance of the rate relief to groups, organisations and halls.

He said when he had first moved to Holford, the village had a shop, pub, post office and petrol station, as well as the hall.

All that remained now were the hall and the pub, which was "running on a knife edge".

Mr Hutchings said Holford's hall and others like it provided a venue for events and activities ranging from the annual flower show to whist drives, table tennis sessions and mother and baby groups.

He said losing the rate relief would have a massive impact.

"We are only a small community and we would definitely feel the pinch.

"Halls like ours are the last bastion and far from creating a 'Big Society' spirit, if they are forced to close our communities will surely die.

"There will be an untold and immeasurable annihilation of our communities."

Council leader Cllr Tim Taylor described the decision to maintain the rate relief this year as responsible but also humane.

And Cllr Chris Morgan said there had been much talk over the last 12 months about the "sacred cows" that could not be cut.

"Our sacred cow is our rurality," he said. "We all face hard times but this proposal (keeping the rate relief) is something that we have to support."

Although the axing of the relief totally in April 2012 is still likely, councillors agreed it would be up to the new council following May's local elections to make a final decision.

And if it does end, councillors also backed a move to re-introduce the financial help as a priority, if and when funding became available.