THE latest round of council funding for faith groups has been waved through after delays to a review.

In total, the voluntary sector, which includes Citizens Advice, Shopmobility and others, will receive £222,214 until the end of the year.

Of this, £114,789 will be shared by the Interfaith Council, Christian Community Cohesion, Hindu Forum and Council of Mosques using the same ratios previously applied.

The voluntary sector funding is currently being reviewed and a report is expected by September.

Council leader David Greenhalgh blamed the last Labour administration for failing to complete the review, which was postponed on two separate occasions.

He said: “Funding ended on May 31, one week after the Conservatives took control. The review was still not ready. In order that those community organisations could continue to deliver those services that so many vulnerable people rely on, we have extended the existing grants for a further six months, with a guarantee that we will complete that review and make a decision in future funding."

The Tory councillor said he wants the review to look at outcomes, eradicate duplication of funding, enable groups to deliver services, celebrate their work and ensure tax payers they are getting value for money.

Labour's former communities executive Cllr Anna-Marie Watters said the review took longer than she would have liked but praised the officers for their hard work.