Voluntary groups in Weymouth and Portland are set to benefit from council grants which will act as relief on rent costs.

Weymouth Angling Society, Portland Museum Trust and Islanders Club for Young People based on Portland will all be handed money by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council to subsidise rent payments over the next four years.

Councillors unanimously approved the motion during a management committee meeting.

Portland Museum Trust and the Islanders Club will be subbed 100 per cent of their rent costs at £4,125 and £2,250 per year respectively, while Weymouth Angling Society will receive £5,000 per year to help with their annual rent cost of £11,000.

All three organisations lease their premises from the borough council.

Pam Boyce of Portland Museum Trust who attended the meeting, said: “The trust is now in its tenth year of operating Portland Museum. We have been very successful, we’ve increased visitor numbers and our reputation to be more than just a museum.

“The museum is valued and treasured by people on Portland. Finding money for building repairs and improvements is becoming harder each year.

“A grant to offset rent will be a lifeline and the trust will be able to continue operate the business.”

Cllr Jeff Cant, chairman of the management committee, has warned that although the motion was agreed by councillors, the borough council wouldn’t be able to commit to funding past March 2019 due to the local government reorganisation.

A report put before councillors mentioned the equality and inclusion aspects of all three organisations. It says: “The sustainable long-term operation of Portland Museum will contribute to ensuring equality of access to cultural activities and volunteering opportunities for the community of Portland.

“The services provided by the Islanders Club for Young People offer affordable activities for young people. The Weymouth Angling Society has made efforts to improve disabled access to its premises and allows access to a range of community groups.”

such as senior forums.”

Cllr Kate Wheller supported the decision, saying: “I am totally in favour of all of these groups.”