BURNHAM and Highbridge town councillors has agreed to lobby for support to reinstate funding to an education provider in the county after “drastic” cuts.

It was announced earlier this month that the SS&L service, which offers a range of vocational and recreational courses at various locations across the county, would have its funding reduced from £3.5million to £111,000.

Originally funded through Somerset County Council, in 2015 SS&L was required to become a CIC (Community Interest Company).

Each year the organisation applies for - and has previously been awarded - procurement funding of around £3.5m.

But the Education and Skills Funding Agency made the decision to reduce the funding.

People due to start community courses were told they won’t be going ahead over fears trainers could lose their jobs.

The courses affected are community-based classes run by SS&L – formerly Somerset Skills and Learning.

A statement on its website says: “Due to Government funding cuts we are not accepting course enrolments at this time.”

Town councillors gathered on Monday night to discuss its position on the issue.

The courses in Burnham run from the SS&L centre, in Princess Street.

And Councillor Phil Harvey said the situation was a ‘major one’ for the town.

“It came as a shock to SS&L and its students,” he told the meeting.

“I believe funding allows them to continue with courses that will lead to a qualification.

“If the funding is not reinstated, it would leave Princess Street with around 13 courses.

“It’s really important for recreational courses and vocational ones - but lobbying is all we can do.

“This is a mayor problem to the residents of our town.”

Cllr Janet Keen asked whether the courses were in competition with Bridgwater and Taunton College and Weston College, although recognised that all courses played a part in getting people ready for employment.

Meanwhile, Cllr Kate Lawson highlighted the importance of the courses to different groups of people within the community in Burnham and across Somerset.

She said: “These courses are important to growing people to go into employment.

“It really helps with mental health, people suffering with anxiety and depression.”