THERE will continue to be winners and losers as council grapples with its small pot of community grants money.

At this week's general meeting, councillors spent excessive time trying to deal only with urgent requests for financial assistance.

The responsibility of divvying out small cash grants was given to the Community Services Department earlier this year.

However, it has been unable to figure out a system to streamline the process, which is supposed to happen just twice yearly instead of in piecemeal fashion.

The idea of removing the decision-making from councillors was to allow for more neutral decisions to be made by staffers. At yesterday's meeting councillors continually battled against their historical knowledge of groups.

Allora High Tea Fundraiser's request for $484 for chair hire was one of the first up.

Council is only supposed to give $150 of monetary contributions from its $12,500 pot. Community groups can also apply for in-kind support or rates relief on top of that.

Cr Neil Meiklejohn suggested council could instead provide in-kind support and supply the chairs to the fundraiser.

However, Cr Vic Pennisi said he had serious concerns about undercutting a local hire business.

“You're walking a very fine line when you start taking money from a retail organisation,” he said.

Councillors resolved to give a $150 donation in accordance with the advice from the Community Services Department.

Following that decision it seemed Killarney Swimming Club wouldn't stand a sporting chance of getting its $600.

However, Cr Ross Bartley highlighted the fact the club traditionally had subsidised entry to the pool because it contributed money for the heating.

The pool and club both went through great difficulty after the 2008 floods.

“It's only a very small, not-for-profit club,” Cr Bartley said.

“It's part of the community make-up and tries to encourage younger people to go there.”

Cr Bartley suggested the club should be considered in the budgetary process as an annual grant rather than an ad-hoc hand out.

However, other councillors were concerned it would set a precedent for other swimming clubs in the region.

Mayor Ron Bellingham said, “We're trying to provide some uniformity.”

Councillors decided to look at the policy of supporting all sporting groups in the community.

They granted the club $600 but on renewal of the pool lease, it will be considered as part of that arrangement.

Cr Peter Blundell said the lengthy debate reinforced his opinion council staff should dish out the dough.

“It's always going to be a minefield as long as we stick to this talk around table.”

Successful applications include Stanthorpe and Warwick Chambers of Commerce which each receive $2000, Allora High Tea fundraiser which will receive $150 (it asked for $484), Killarney Amateur Swimming Club which will receive $600 and  the Peace Festival which will receive $7000 (in kind)