COLCHESTER and Tendring Women’s Refuge will have to make cuts to staff and services after it lost 13 per cent of its funding from Essex County Council.

County Hall has reduced its “supporting people” grants, which includes crisis housing, from £30million to £23million.

But Tendring and Colchester has seen a bigger reduction than other parts of the county despite claims it is the most needy.

Funding for sheltered accommodation in Colchester has been cut by 48 per cent and in Tendring by 51 per cent.

Essex County Council says it has “equalised” the funding to make it fairer across Essex.

Ann Taylor, a director at the refuge, said it had lost almost £34,000 – or 13 per cent – of what it got last year.

She said: “It represents a significant cut and it will impact on frontline services, but we are trying to remain optimistic.

“We are part of the Big Society being promoted, and have been in the voluntary sector for more than 30 years supporting thousands of women and children.

“We are fulfilling what the Government is requesting, yet they are taking funding away.

“We intend to continue to support women to the best of our ability, but we will have to make cuts to staff and services.”

Councillors representing Colchester criticised the cuts.

Julie Young, Labour county councillor for Wivenhoe St Andrew, said: “It is hard to understand this if we claim we support the most vulnerable.”

Lyn Barton, Lib Dem Colchester and Essex councillor, added: “These cuts will hit some of the most vulnerable people in Essex and it is unfair.

“Cuts to the budget in Colchester are far higher than in any other parts of the county – why is this?”

Ann Naylor, county councillor responsible for adults, health and community wellbeing, accepted some were hit harder, but told the area to “accept there are some winners and some losers”.

l Colchester and Tendring Women’s Refuge supports about 100 women and 200 children a year as well as 300 more women through its outreach work.

Anyone who can help with funding can call 01206 500585.